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Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland

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2023 Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

19 Schools Ranked
$12,047 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,742 Avg Student Debt*

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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland ranking. Our analysis looked at 19 schools in Maryland to see which undergraduate certificate 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.

Top Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, Maryland
22 Total Awards
$7,394 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Baltimore City Community College to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in Maryland. Baltimore City Community College is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Baltimore City Community College are $7,394 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Baltimore City Community College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Baltimore City Community College

#2

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, Maryland
658 Total Awards
$9,030 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means College of Southern Maryland is a great place for students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. CSM is located in La Plata, Maryland and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 658 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CSM are $9,030 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $13,169 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that CSM does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, CSM is ranked #2 for overall quality in Maryland.

Read More…

#3

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, Maryland
73 Total Awards
$8,190 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 19 schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s value ranking, Hagerstown Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Hagerstown, Maryland, the small public school handed out 73 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at HCC are $8,190 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,931 in loans while pursuing their degree.

HCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

HCC also took the #4 spot in our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland rankings.

Read More…

55 Total Awards
$8,474 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Prince George’s Community College is a great place for students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Prince George’s Community College is a fairly large public school located in Largo, Maryland that handed out 55 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

PGCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,474 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,190 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PGCC. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

PGCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland list.

Full Prince George’s Community College Report

538 Total Awards
$12,336 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 19 schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s value ranking, University of Maryland Global Campus landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, the large public school handed out 538 undergraduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UMGC are $12,336 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,847 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that UMGC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

UMGC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland list.

Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report

#6

Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, Maryland
8 Total Awards
$7,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Chesapeake College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Chesapeake College is located in Wye Mills, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Chesapeake College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,400 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $11,198 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Chesapeake College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#7

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
56 Total Awards
$38,638 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. UMCP is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMCP are $38,638 per year.

Online courses are available at UMCP, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

UMCP also took the #1 spot in our Best Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland rankings.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Report

161 Total Awards
$10,062 Average Tuition & Fees

Community College of Baltimore County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. CCBC is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 161 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

CCBC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,062 in tuition and fees each year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,025 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at CCBC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#9

Coppin State University

Baltimore, Maryland
6 Total Awards
$13,334 Average Tuition & Fees

Coppin State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. This small public school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 6 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Coppin undergraduate students pay an average of $13,334 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Coppin does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Coppin State University

#10

Wor-Wic Community College

Salisbury, Maryland
50 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees

Wor-Wic Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland ranking. This small public school is located in Salisbury, Maryland, and it awarded 50 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Wor-Wic Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,280 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,435 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Wor-Wic Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Wor-Wic Community College

#11

Allegany College of Maryland

Cumberland, Maryland
89 Total Awards
$10,280 Average Tuition & Fees

Allegany College of Maryland landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Allegany College of Maryland is a small public school located in Cumberland, Maryland that handed out 89 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Allegany College of Maryland are $10,280 per year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,230 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Allegany College of Maryland. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Allegany College of Maryland Report

#12

Howard Community College

Columbia, Maryland
33 Total Awards
$8,973 Average Tuition & Fees

Howard Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Columbia, Maryland, the medium-sized public school awarded 33 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HCC are $8,973 per year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,341 in student loans.

Online courses are available at HCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Howard Community College Report

#13

Carroll Community College

Westminster, Maryland
38 Total Awards
$8,688 Average Tuition & Fees

Carroll Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland list. Westminster, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 38 students in 2020-2021.

Carroll Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,688 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Carroll Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, Maryland
179 Total Awards
$13,550 Average Tuition & Fees

Anne Arundel Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. AACC is a fairly large public school situated in Arnold, Maryland. It awarded 179 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at AACC are $13,550 a year. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,318 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at AACC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Anne Arundel Community College Report

#15

Cecil College

North East, Maryland
13 Total Awards
$9,510 Average Tuition & Fees

Cecil College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Cecil College is located in North East, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cecil College are $9,510 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cecil College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Cecil College

#16

Frederick Community College

Frederick, Maryland
35 Total Awards
$9,844 Average Tuition & Fees

Frederick Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Frederick Community College is located in Frederick, Maryland and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Frederick Community College are $9,844 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Frederick Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Frederick Community College Report

#17

University of Baltimore

Baltimore, Maryland
22 Total Awards
$22,550 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Baltimore landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate programs. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UB are $22,550 a year.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out UB. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#18

Harford Community College

Bel Air, Maryland
12 Total Awards
$8,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Harford Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Maryland ranking. Harford Community College is a small public school located in Bel Air, Maryland that handed out 12 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Harford Community College are $8,302 per year.

Harford Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Harford Community College

#19

Montgomery College

Rockville, Maryland
38 Total Awards
$14,061 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Montgomery College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their undergraduate certificate. This fairly large public school is located in Rockville, Maryland, and it awarded 38 undergraduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Montgomery College are $14,061 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Montgomery College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Best Value Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 19 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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