# Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 41 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-maryland

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Maryland

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

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.

## Key Findings

- Carroll Community College has the lowest net price at $2,725, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Coppin State University graduates earn $46,490 on average, the highest among the top five schools.
- The average graduation rate among these colleges is 48%, indicating that nearly half of students complete their programs.
- Hagerstown Community College's $6,835 net price reflects a balance of affordability and potential earnings.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Carroll Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carroll-community-college) | Westminster, MD | 43% | $44,349 | $2,725 | $11,750 | 0.26x |
| 2 | [Hagerstown Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hagerstown-community-college) | Hagerstown, MD | 38% | $41,615 | $6,835 | $11,000 | 0.26x |
| 3 | [Montgomery College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montgomery-college) | Rockville, MD | 30% | $50,159 | $8,027 | $10,415 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Chesapeake College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chesapeake-college) | Wye Mills, MD | 27% | $36,301 | $5,106 | N/A | N/A |
| 5 | [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 |
| 6 | [Allegany College of Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/allegany-college-of-maryland) | Cumberland, MD | 42% | $38,476 | $8,819 | $13,702 | 0.36x |
| 7 | [Coppin State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coppin-state-university) | Baltimore, MD | 26% | $46,490 | $9,977 | $25,000 | 0.54x |
| 8 | [Garrett College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/garrett-college) | McHenry, MD | 33% | $35,823 | $9,228 | $10,750 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Harford Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harford-community-college) | Bel Air, MD | 39% | $44,608 | $9,234 | $9,812 | 0.22x |
| 10 | [Wor-Wic Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wor-wic-community-college) | Salisbury, MD | 27% | $36,748 | $9,360 | $7,828 | 0.21x |
| 11 | [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 |
| 12 | [Cecil College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cecil-college) | North East, MD | 32% | $43,952 | $9,658 | $9,536 | 0.22x |
| 13 | [Frederick Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/frederick-community-college) | Frederick, MD | 36% | $46,449 | $9,465 | $8,150 | 0.18x |
| 14 | [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 |
| 15 | [Howard Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/howard-community-college) | Columbia, MD | 25% | $49,020 | $11,133 | $10,500 | 0.21x |
| 16 | [University of Baltimore](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-baltimore) | Baltimore, MD | 43% | $61,335 | $13,868 | $23,250 | 0.38x |
| 17 | [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 |
| 18 | [Morgan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morgan-state-university) | Baltimore, MD | 41% | $50,698 | $14,985 | $27,250 | 0.54x |
| 19 | [Anne Arundel Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/anne-arundel-community-college) | Arnold, MD | 28% | $46,219 | $14,915 | $8,250 | 0.18x |
| 20 | [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 |
| 21 | [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 |
| 22 | [Frostburg State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/frostburg-state-university) | Frostburg, MD | 51% | $55,493 | $16,715 | $21,105 | 0.38x |
| 23 | [Towson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/towson-university) | Towson, MD | 69% | $64,390 | $17,413 | $18,718 | 0.29x |
| 24 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 25 | [Salisbury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salisbury-university) | Salisbury, MD | 68% | $61,515 | $17,743 | $21,000 | 0.34x |
| 26 | [Washington Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-adventist-university) | Takoma Park, MD | 33% | $64,249 | $18,526 | $30,500 | 0.47x |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [Bowie State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowie-state-university) | Bowie, MD | 38% | $54,537 | $19,298 | $22,985 | 0.42x |
| 29 | [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 |
| 30 | [Ner Israel Rabbinical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ner-israel-rabbinical-college) | Baltimore, MD | 35% | $66,330 | $13,572 | N/A | N/A |
| 31 | [Hood College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hood-college) | Frederick, MD | 56% | $57,089 | $20,873 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 32 | [Goucher College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/goucher-college) | Baltimore, MD | 59% | $53,023 | $22,470 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 33 | [McDaniel College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcdaniel-college) | Westminster, MD | 64% | $60,663 | $21,916 | $25,000 | 0.41x |
| 34 | [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 |
| 35 | [Capitol Technology University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/capitol-technology-university) | Laurel, MD | 44% | $85,035 | $22,102 | $20,264 | 0.24x |
| 36 | [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 |
| 37 | [Stevenson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stevenson-university) | Owings Mills, MD | 67% | $62,079 | $26,505 | $26,000 | 0.42x |
| 38 | [Washington College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-college) | Chestertown, MD | 70% | $65,518 | $27,898 | $26,956 | 0.41x |
| 39 | [Loyola University Maryland](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loyola-university-maryland) | Baltimore, MD | 80% | $82,652 | $30,574 | $27,000 | 0.33x |
| 40 | [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 |
| 41 | [St. John's College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-johns-college) | Annapolis, MD | 69% | $51,584 | $45,597 | $27,000 | 0.52x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.