# Best Colleges in Maryland

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-12 | Schools: 42 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-maryland

## Methodology

Maryland colleges ranked by graduate outcomes — earnings, social mobility, debt, and completion.

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a college is a significant decision, especially when considering schools in Maryland. With 41 institutions in the state, families are exploring options that align with their educational and financial goals. For many, graduation rates and potential earnings play a crucial role in this choice.

What sets the strongest schools apart is not just their academic reputation, but the measurable outcomes they deliver. Factors like earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and mobility give families a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation. The list below highlights top schools based on a composite score that reflects these crucial metrics.

For example, Johns Hopkins University leads with impressive earnings of $87,555 and a graduation rate of 94%. In contrast, Towson University offers lower earnings at $64,390 with a graduation rate of 69%. This contrast illustrates the tradeoffs students may face when selecting a program that fits their needs and aspirations.

## Key Findings

- Johns Hopkins University graduates earn an average of $87,555, significantly higher than the state average of $55,615.
- The graduation rate at the University of Maryland-College Park is 89%, compared to just 70% at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
- St. Mary's College of Maryland has a net price of $18,441, which is higher than Towson University's $17,413.
- Debt levels vary greatly, with Johns Hopkins University graduates averaging $10,250, while St. Mary's students face $21,000.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 2 | [Loyola University Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loyola-university-maryland) | Baltimore, MD | 80% | $82,652 | $30,574 | $27,000 | 0.33x |
| 3 | [Mount St. Mary's University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-st-marys-university) | Emmitsburg, MD | 62% | $64,072 | $22,655 | $25,391 | 0.4x |
| 4 | [University of Maryland-College Park](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-college-park) | College Park, MD | 89% | $82,860 | $15,678 | $19,000 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Montgomery College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montgomery-college) | Rockville, MD | 30% | $50,159 | $8,027 | $10,415 | 0.21x |
| 6 | [Carroll Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carroll-community-college) | Westminster, MD | 43% | $44,349 | $2,725 | $11,750 | 0.26x |
| 7 | [Washington College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-college) | Chestertown, MD | 70% | $65,518 | $27,898 | $26,956 | 0.41x |
| 8 | [College of Southern Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-southern-maryland) | La Plata, MD | 33% | $44,435 | $9,204 | $8,500 | 0.19x |
| 9 | [University of Maryland-Baltimore County](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-baltimore-county) | Baltimore, MD | 70% | $69,960 | $16,467 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 10 | [Notre Dame of Maryland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/notre-dame-of-maryland-university) | Baltimore, MD | 51% | $65,344 | $19,169 | $22,666 | 0.35x |
| 11 | [Howard Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/howard-community-college) | Columbia, MD | 25% | $49,020 | $11,133 | $10,500 | 0.21x |
| 12 | [Goucher College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/goucher-college) | Baltimore, MD | 59% | $53,023 | $22,470 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 13 | [Frederick Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/frederick-community-college) | Frederick, MD | 36% | $46,449 | $9,465 | $8,150 | 0.18x |
| 14 | [Harford Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harford-community-college) | Bel Air, MD | 39% | $44,608 | $9,234 | $9,812 | 0.22x |
| 15 | [Prince George's Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/prince-georges-community-college) | Largo, MD | 22% | $47,548 | $8,672 | $10,500 | 0.22x |
| 16 | [Cecil College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cecil-college) | North East, MD | 32% | $43,952 | $9,658 | $9,536 | 0.22x |
| 17 | [McDaniel College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcdaniel-college) | Westminster, MD | 64% | $60,663 | $21,916 | $25,000 | 0.41x |
| 18 | [Anne Arundel Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/anne-arundel-community-college) | Arnold, MD | 28% | $46,219 | $14,915 | $8,250 | 0.18x |
| 19 | [Hagerstown Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hagerstown-community-college) | Hagerstown, MD | 38% | $41,615 | $6,835 | $11,000 | 0.26x |
| 20 | [Towson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/towson-university) | Towson, MD | 69% | $64,390 | $17,413 | $18,718 | 0.29x |
| 21 | [Hood College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hood-college) | Frederick, MD | 56% | $57,089 | $20,873 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 22 | [Stevenson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stevenson-university) | Owings Mills, MD | 67% | $62,079 | $26,505 | $26,000 | 0.42x |
| 23 | [Wor-Wic Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wor-wic-community-college) | Salisbury, MD | 27% | $36,748 | $9,360 | $7,828 | 0.21x |
| 24 | [Washington Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-adventist-university) | Takoma Park, MD | 33% | $64,249 | $18,526 | $30,500 | 0.47x |
| 25 | [Allegany College of Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/allegany-college-of-maryland) | Cumberland, MD | 42% | $38,476 | $8,819 | $13,702 | 0.36x |
| 26 | [Garrett College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/garrett-college) | McHenry, MD | 33% | $35,823 | $9,228 | $10,750 | 0.3x |
| 27 | [Community College of Baltimore County](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-baltimore-county) | Baltimore, MD | 17% | $43,729 | $9,844 | $11,528 | 0.26x |
| 28 | [St. Mary's College of Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-marys-college-of-maryland) | St. Mary's City, MD | 69% | $60,110 | $18,441 | $21,000 | 0.35x |
| 29 | [Capitol Technology University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/capitol-technology-university) | Laurel, MD | 44% | $85,035 | $22,102 | $20,264 | 0.24x |
| 30 | [Salisbury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salisbury-university) | Salisbury, MD | 68% | $61,515 | $17,743 | $21,000 | 0.34x |
| 31 | [Maryland Institute College of Art](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryland-institute-college-of-art) | Baltimore, MD | 72% | $45,212 | $42,729 | $26,500 | 0.59x |
| 32 | [Frostburg State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/frostburg-state-university) | Frostburg, MD | 51% | $55,493 | $16,715 | $21,105 | 0.38x |
| 33 | [University of Baltimore](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-baltimore) | Baltimore, MD | 43% | $61,335 | $13,868 | $23,250 | 0.38x |
| 34 | [Bowie State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowie-state-university) | Bowie, MD | 38% | $54,537 | $19,298 | $22,985 | 0.42x |
| 35 | [Morgan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morgan-state-university) | Baltimore, MD | 41% | $50,698 | $14,985 | $27,250 | 0.54x |
| 36 | [Coppin State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coppin-state-university) | Baltimore, MD | 26% | $46,490 | $9,977 | $25,000 | 0.54x |
| 37 | [University of Maryland Eastern Shore](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-eastern-shore) | Princess Anne, MD | 35% | $47,697 | $13,338 | $27,000 | 0.57x |
| 38 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 39 | [United States Naval Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/united-states-naval-academy) | Annapolis, MD | 92% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 40 | [Chesapeake College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chesapeake-college) | Wye Mills, MD | 27% | $36,301 | $5,106 | N/A | N/A |
| 41 | [St. John's College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-johns-college) | Annapolis, MD | 69% | $51,584 | $45,597 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 42 | [Ner Israel Rabbinical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ner-israel-rabbinical-college) | Baltimore, MD | 35% | $66,330 | $13,572 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Maryland." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-12. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-maryland

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.