2023 Best Value Schools in Maryland
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. Our analysis looked at 30 schools in Maryland to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Schools in Maryland
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Baltimore City Community College the best value school in Maryland for students working on their degree. This small public school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 581 degrees in 2020-2021.
Baltimore City Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,394 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,561 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Baltimore City Community College graduates make an average of $45,306 annually.
Out of the 30 schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, Prince George’s Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Prince George’s Community College is a fairly large public school located in Largo, Maryland that handed out 1,341 degrees in 2020-2021.
PGCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,474 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,180 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, PGCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,968 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Maryland Global Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. UMGC is a large public school situated in Adelphi, Maryland. It awarded 15,422 degrees in 2020-2021.
UMGC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,336 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,870 in student loans.After graduating from UMGC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,246 during the early years of their career.
UMGC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Schools in Maryland list.
The excellent programs at Community College of Baltimore County helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Maryland. CCBC is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,934 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CCBC are $10,062 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,384 in student loans.After graduating from CCBC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,878 during the early years of their career.
Out of the 30 schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Southern Maryland landed the # 5 spot on the list. CSM is a medium-sized public school situated in La Plata, Maryland. It awarded 1,757 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CSM are $9,030 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,340 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CSM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,975 during the early year of their career.
Anne Arundel Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. AACC is located in Arnold, Maryland and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,547 degrees to qualified students.
AACC undergraduate students pay an average of $13,550 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,869 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, AACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,736 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, AACC is ranked #5 for overall quality in Maryland.
Wor-Wic Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Wor-Wic Community College is a small public school situated in Salisbury, Maryland. It awarded 528 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wor-Wic Community College are $8,280 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,178 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wor-Wic Community College graduates make an average of $44,374 annually.
Hagerstown Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Hagerstown, Maryland, the small public school handed out 801 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at HCC are $8,190 a year. On average, students take out $17,096 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from HCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,699 during the early years of their career.
Frederick Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. Frederick Community College is a public institution located in Frederick, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,050 degrees in 2020-2021.
Frederick Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,844 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,742 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Frederick Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,826 during the early years of their career.
Bowie State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. Bowie State University is located in Bowie, Maryland and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,176 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bowie State University are $19,302 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,449 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bowie State University graduates make an average of $48,510 annually.
University of Maryland - College Park ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 12,417 students in 2020-2021.
UMCP undergraduate students pay an average of $38,638 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $20,252 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $391.After graduating from UMCP, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,217 during the early years of their career.
UMCP did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Schools in Maryland list.
Coppin State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small public school handed out 406 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Coppin are $13,334 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,743 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Coppin graduates make an average of $42,607 annually.
Salisbury University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, Maryland, and it awarded 2,277 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Salisbury are $20,458 per year. On average, students take out $21,988 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $380, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Salisbury, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,391 during the early years of their career.
Towson University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Towson, Maryland, the large public school handed out 6,027 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Towson are $25,516 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,133 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $292 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Towson graduates make an average of $45,980 annually.
Allegany College of Maryland ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. Located in Cumberland, Maryland, the small public school awarded 636 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Allegany College of Maryland undergraduate students pay an average of $10,280 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,998 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Allegany College of Maryland graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,157 during the early year of their career.
Montgomery College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Montgomery College is a fairly large public school located in Rockville, Maryland that handed out 3,110 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Montgomery College are $14,061 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,910 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Montgomery College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,576 during the early years of their career.
Frostburg State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. This small public school is located in Frostburg, Maryland, and it awarded 1,334 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Frostburg State are $24,080 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,481 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $196, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Frostburg State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,800 during the early year of their career.
Hood College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Maryland ranking. Frederick, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 572 students in 2020-2021.
Hood undergraduate students pay an average of $43,140 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $24,115 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Hood, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,714 during the early years of their career.
Morgan State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. Morgan State University is a medium-sized public school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 1,473 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morgan State are $18,480 a year. On average, students take out $33,596 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $265, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Morgan State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,587 during the early years of their career.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. Princess Anne, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 507 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMES are $19,343 per year. On average, students take out $28,545 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $252, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMES graduates make an average of $36,933 annually.
McDaniel College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Westminster, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 908 students in 2020-2021.
McDaniel undergraduate students pay an average of $46,336 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,073 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, McDaniel graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,310 during the early year of their career.
McDaniel also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Maryland list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
University of Maryland - Baltimore County landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. UMBC is a fairly large public school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 3,893 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UMBC are $28,470 a year. On average, students take out $22,489 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $248 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMBC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,325 during the early year of their career.
St Mary’s College of Maryland ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Maryland list. Located in St. Mary’s City, Maryland, the small public school awarded 408 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
SMCM undergraduate students pay an average of $31,200 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $21,125 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $430, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SMCM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,618 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SMCM also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Maryland ranking.
Goucher College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 569 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Goucher are $48,200 per year. After graduating from Goucher, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,698 during the early years of their career.
University of Baltimore did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,205 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UB are $22,550 per year. On average, students take out $26,874 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,323 during the early year of their career.
Best Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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