Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland
- 41
- Schools
- $55,615
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,625
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,655
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 41 schools run from $35,823 to $87,555, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Carroll Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $44,349 in median earnings against $2,725 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Carroll Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,725 a year in net price.
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Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students, versus a 48% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Johns Hopkins University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Carroll Community College ($44,349 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Johns Hopkins University ($87,555), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Carroll Community College costs $2,725 a year and St. John's College costs $45,597. Yet their graduates earn $44,349 and $51,584, nowhere near the $42,872 price gap.
- On value, Carroll Community College beats Johns Hopkins University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Carroll Community College and Johns Hopkins University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $53K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carroll Community College #1 overall | $44,349 ▼ -20% vs avg | $2,725 | 43% | 87 |
| 2 Hagerstown Community College #2 overall | $41,615 ▼ -25% vs avg | $6,835 | 38% | 80 |
| 3 Montgomery College #3 overall | $50,159 ▼ -10% vs avg | $8,027 | 30% | 78 |
| $36,301 ▼ -35% vs avg | $5,106 | 27% | 77 | |
| $47,548 ▼ -15% vs avg | $8,672 | 22% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland
This analysis ranks 41 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $55,615 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $16,625.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Carroll Community College — Net Price: $2,725 | Graduation Rate: 43%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Johns Hopkins University — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Johns Hopkins University — Median alumni earnings: $87,555
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$53,023
Median earnings (10yr)
42%
Median graduation rate
$15,678
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Across the 41 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $53,023 ten years after they first enrolled, about $5,023 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 42%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $15,678 a year, with about $21,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $15,678, with graduates earning a median of $53,023 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carroll Community College lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,725 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Hagerstown Community College lands at #2 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,615 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,835 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Montgomery College lands at #3 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,159 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,027 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Chesapeake College lands at #4 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,301 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Prince George's Community College lands at #5 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $47,548 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Allegany College of Maryland lands at #6 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $38,476 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,819 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Coppin State University lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,490 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Garrett College lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $35,823 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Harford Community College lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,608 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,234 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Wor-Wic Community College lands at #10 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $36,748 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,360 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
College of Southern Maryland lands at #11 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $44,435 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,204 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Cecil College lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,952 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,658 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Frederick Community College lands at #13 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $46,449 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,465 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Community College of Baltimore County lands at #14 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $43,729 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,844 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Howard Community College lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $49,020 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Baltimore lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,335 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,868 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net
Why it ranks #17
University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,697 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Morgan State University lands at #18 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,698 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Anne Arundel Community College lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,219 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,915 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #20
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Baltimore, MD · 72% accepted · $16,467 net
Why it ranks #21
University of Maryland-Baltimore County lands at #21 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $69,960 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,467 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Frostburg State University lands at #22 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $55,493 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,715 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Towson University lands at #23 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $64,390 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,413 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Johns Hopkins University lands at #24 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Salisbury University lands at #25 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,515 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,743 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Washington Adventist University lands at #26 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $64,249 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,526 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
St. Mary's College of Maryland lands at #27 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $60,110 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,441 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Bowie State University lands at #28 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,537 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Notre Dame of Maryland University lands at #29 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,344 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,169 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Ner Israel Rabbinical College lands at #30 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $66,330 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,572 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Hood College lands at #31 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,089 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,873 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Goucher College lands at #32 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $53,023 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,470 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
McDaniel College lands at #33 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $60,663 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,916 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Mount St. Mary's University lands at #34 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $64,072 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,655 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Capitol Technology University lands at #35 with a 51/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $85,035 a decade after enrolling, 53% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,102 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #36 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $65,287 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Stevenson University lands at #37 with a 44/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $62,079 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,505 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Washington College lands at #38 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $65,518 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,898 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Loyola University Maryland lands at #39 with a 38/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $82,652 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Maryland Institute College of Art lands at #40 with a 14/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $45,212 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $42,729 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
St. John's College lands at #41 with a 8/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $51,584 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $45,597 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 41 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Affordability is a key concern for many families considering higher education today. In Maryland, several colleges stand out for their low net prices, making them attractive options for students looking to minimize debt while pursuing their degrees. The average net price of these institutions can provide a clearer picture of what families might expect to pay after financial aid.
What sets these affordable colleges apart from others in the state are their graduation rates, average earnings, and the amount of debt students accumulate. The list below includes schools ranked by their net price, but it also highlights important outcomes like post-graduation earnings and completion rates. Understanding these factors can help families make informed decisions about their educational investment.
Take Carroll Community College and Coppin State University as examples. Carroll Community College has a lower net price at $2,725, which is significantly less than Coppin State's $9,977. However, the earnings for Coppin State graduates are higher at $46,490 compared to Carroll's $44,349, reflecting a tradeoff between upfront costs and potential future income. This contrast illustrates the various paths students can take and the importance of aligning their choices with personal and financial goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 26 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Mount St. Mary's University leads the group at 6.4%, with Montgomery College (3%) and Hood College (2.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Mount St. Mary's University leads at 21.2%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.7% across this list. Johns Hopkins University posts the highest success rate at 58.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.55 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Loyola University Maryland reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Looking at the data, we can see a notable difference between Carroll Community College and Hagerstown Community College. While both institutions are affordable, Carroll outperforms Hagerstown in net price at $2,725 versus $6,835. However, Hagerstown graduates have higher earnings, averaging $41,615 compared to Carroll's $44,349. This difference illustrates how net price doesn’t tell the whole story — it’s important to consider potential earnings alongside costs.
For families reviewing this list, start by identifying what matters most: Is it the lowest cost, the best earning potential, or perhaps the graduation rate? Make a comparison based on location and program fit. If your student has a specific career goal, look for schools that excel in that area while considering the financial implications. Balancing these factors will guide you toward the best choice for your situation.
The significance of these findings goes beyond mere numbers. A college education is often seen as a pathway to stable employment and financial security. For one family, choosing a school with a low net price but potentially lower earnings could mean less debt, while another may prioritize higher earning potential, accepting higher costs. Each decision carries weight, shaping the future for students and their families.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland ranking? +
Carroll Community College in Westminster, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $44,349 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 43% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Johns Hopkins University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $87,555 ten years after enrollment, well above the $55,615 average across the 41 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Carroll Community College leads: graduates earn a median $44,349 against net price of about $2,725 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Johns Hopkins University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 48% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,625 a year across the 41 ranked schools with cost data. Carroll Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,725. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 41 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
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