Colleges in Maryland
Why go to College in Maryland?
From numerous professional and collegiate sports teams to an exciting nightlife and affordable cost of living, Maryland has much to offer prospective college students. With nearly half of the state's population having earned college degrees, and with some of the most recognized universities in the country, Maryland is fertile ground for higher education. Outdoor enthusiasts will also love the state's natural beauty in areas such as the Assateague Island National Seashore, Mallows Bay, and the Maryland Scenic Byways.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Maryland?
On-Campus
An on-campus education in Maryland puts you face-to-face with peers and professors. Students are required to attend classes at scheduled times, which is ideal for those with few commitments outside school. Though potentially pricier, attending traditional programs comes with certain benefits. One benefit is a sense of belonging to the university community. Students who live on campus or commute can participate in extracurricular activities that enhance education outside the classroom. Student groups, student government, campus events, libraries, and other on-campus resources are additional benefits enjoyed by students in traditional programs as compared to those who attend online schools in MD.
Online Programs
Rather than living on campus or commuting to class, online students can use the internet to view lectures and submit coursework. Online classes use the same course materials and are taught by the same faculty as on-campus classes. As such, online programs are every bit as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts. Moreover, students who graduate from online colleges in Maryland receive the exact same degree as those who complete their studies in traditional programs.
Students who take online courses typically need more flexibility in their schedules in order to keep working, take care of their families, and meet other commitments. They are usually motivated, independent, and able to study at their own pace.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs blend on-campus instruction with online learning. Through these programs, students experience the best of both worlds: face-to-face engagement in live classrooms with the convenience of completing many, if not most, of their lectures and assignments away from campus. Hybrid programs are uniquely tailored to each college and, more specifically, to each academic discipline. Disciplines that take advantage of hybrid formats usually have lab or practicum requirements that are more hands-on than standard online classes. Another common feature in hybrid programs is mandatory attendance at multiple on-campus weekend intensives throughout the year.
Popular Degree Programs in Maryland
Medicine, engineering, business, and government are at the center of Maryland's economy. Although these industries are markedly different from one another, they all require skilled workers who can build and maintain necessary support services. The top two majors in the state reflect the needs of Maryland's diverse industries; according to Business Insider, the state's most popular major is business management and administration, and a disproportionately large percentage of students study information sciences.
Business management and administration Business management is about finding solutions to complex business problems, which requires effective leadership and communication. Students who major in this field also acquire a variety of skills in accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources. Maryland's top industries need experts who are trained in business management to help marshal resources and manage organizational priorities.
Information sciences Information science majors learn how to develop computer databases and build customized software for information storage and retrieval. These students also learn how to maintain statistical and financial records. Specialized industries in Maryland, like medicine and engineering, require information scientists to create, maintain, and troubleshoot software and databases that are custom-designed to meet their needs.
BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN MARYLAND FOR 2019
With over 200 colleges in the state of Maryland, selecting the right one can be difficult. Our outline of the best online colleges in Maryland provides useful information to students who need help making a decision. Aside from pointing out unique classes and program characteristics, the list provides important information about academic requirements and admissions criteria. This information can help prospective students ensure that the college they choose is suited to their needs and interests.
Top 3 Online Colleges in Maryland for 2019
Admissions Rate
63%
Graduation Rate
51%
Online Enrollment
16%
Retention Rate
76%
Default Rate
10%
As one of the top online colleges in Maryland, FSU's online students learn in an environment that embraces personalized learning, with small class sizes and internship opportunities with prestigious organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Senate, and IBM.
FSU has provided online courses since 2013. Today, FSU's online offerings include graduate degree programs and a fully online RN to BSN program, which students may complete in as few as 15 months. Students of the online RN to BSN program may complete the required clinical locally. The program improves students' skills in leadership, evidence-based nursing practice, and nursing informatics.
Visit SiteSponsored
BEST ONLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN MARYLAND FOR 2019
Top 7 Online Community Colleges in Maryland for 2019
Graduation Rate
23%
Online Enrollment
10%
Retention Rate
68%
Default Rate
11%
Based in Bel Air, HCC is one of the largest online community colleges in Maryland, serving more than 20,000 students through for-credit and continuing education programs. HCC offers four online programs : business administration, computer information systems, general studies, and psychology. Each degree is taught asynchronously, which enables students to complete coursework at any time of day, with no set class schedule. While HCC requires no campus visits, online learners may be required to attend some learning activities outside the home, such as field experiences, internships, proctored exams, and course orientation sessions. Online students gain access to a wide selection of academic resources, including library services, the campus testing center, academic advising, the school bookstore, and tutoring services.
Visit SiteSponsored
How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Maryland
Compared to the national average, Maryland spends an impressive amount on higher education. The percentage of adults who hold undergraduate or graduate degrees is also higher than the national average. These data suggest that although Maryland spends 0.3% less of its tax revenue on higher education than the national average, the state prioritizes higher education and is able to use its resources as, if not more, effectively than other U.S. states.
| Maryland | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,024 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 6.4% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 20.6% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 17.3% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Maryland
Cost is one of the most important considerations when choosing a school. However, the price of a degree depends on a few factors. First, it matters whether you want to attend a private or public school. Public school tends to be the more cost-effective option for most students. Second, whether the institution is a two- or four-year school impacts the tuition rate. The tuition at public four-year colleges in Maryland, for example, is almost twice that of public two-year schools.
Tuition Prices
The table below provides information on the average tuition at public two-year and four-year traditional and online colleges in Maryland compared to the U.S. as a whole. Besides tuition, be sure to account for the cost of room and board, transportation, and books, as well as miscellaneous administrative and facilities fees that colleges may charge.
Financial Aid
Most students are eligible to receive financial aid in all 50 states. To get started, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline set by your college's financial aid office. Your college will use the information from your FAFSA to determine whether you are eligible for scholarships, grants, student loans, or work-study awards. Scholarships and grants do not need to be paid back and should be prioritized over loans, particularly if the loans are from private lenders that charge high interest rates.
Cost for Online Programs in Maryland
Students enrolled in online colleges in Maryland should be sure to fill out the FAFSA, since they are eligible to receive the same forms of financial aid as their on-campus counterparts. Although some online schools in MD offer lower tuition to distance learners, the majority of schools charge the same tuition for on-campus and online classes. Nevertheless, because students at online colleges in Maryland do not need to commute to class or live on campus, they typically save thousands per year in college fees, textbooks, transportation costs, room and board, and childcare.
Cost of Living by Region
The cost of living in the U.S. varies greatly. In Maryland, students can live more cost effectively in Baltimore, where many colleges are located, than in Bethesda. Other nearby cities, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, also offer affordable living options. The cost of living can have a significant impact on the overall cost of your degree. Depending on where you choose to live after graduation, it can also decrease your future earnings by diverting large portions of your income to rent or mortgage payments.
Scholarships for Maryland College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Many of the scholarships that are available to on-campus students are also available to students enrolled in online colleges in Maryland. Be sure to file your FAFSA by the college's deadline in order to qualify. While filing the FAFSA will be sufficient to qualify you for scholarships at most online schools in MD, some scholarship programs have additional requirements. Check with the scholarship organization or your college's financial aid office to find out if you qualify.
Employment Outlook in Maryland
With a significantly higher mean annual wage than the national average, Maryland's employment opportunities are expected to grow over the next several years. Maryland's low unemployment rate also indicates that most of its population is employed, outpacing the U.S. as a whole. Moreover, Maryland residents make over $10,000 more per year than the national average, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a mean annual wage increase in every one of Maryland's more than 700 industries.
| Maryland | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.9% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $59,802 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Maryland
Top Industries in Maryland
Medical: The medical industry includes surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, and many other kinds of doctors working in hospitals or smaller clinical settings. The median wage for medical professionals is projected to grow between 4% and 11%, with orthodontists' wages expected to rise by 20%.
Finance/sales/marketing: Workers in finance, sales, and marketing need to know all sides of the business equation. Although annual median wage growth is projected to be between 1% and 2% for these professions, managers in finance, sales, and marketing in Maryland can make upwards of $150,000 annually.
Architecture/engineering: Architects and engineers help design and maintain buildings and complex city infrastructures. Employment in these professions is projected to rise by 1%, while average annual wages are due to rise by 0.5%.
Top Employers in Maryland
Giant Food Inc.: 27,000 employees
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions: 22,000 employees
MedStar Health: 22,000 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Maryland
Accreditation is a review process that ensures colleges and universities adhere to recognized standards of education. Most accreditation agencies in the U.S. are overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. There are two kinds of accreditation: regional and national. Despite the implied strength in its name, national accreditation — which focuses more on professional training and vocational programs — is less prestigious than its regional counterpart. Regional accreditation is an older and more established process, with 85% of all colleges and universities in the country accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies.
Just like traditional programs, many online colleges in Maryland are regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . Because online programs offer challenging, stimulating coursework taught by the same professors as on-campus classes, there is no difference in accreditation for online programs and for campus-based programs. Be sure to check that the online schools in MD that you're considering are properly accredited. Other benefits of choosing an accredited school include greater degree recognition and a smooth transfer of credits from one institution to another.
Resources for Students in Maryland
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) MHEC provides a host of important resources for students such as information about grants, special student tax relief programs, and how best to apply for financial aid.
Maryland 529 College Investment Plan Managed by T. Rowe Price, this program uses mutual funds and bonds to help grow savings for college tuition from an early age. This is a great tool for new parents to start saving for their child's future college expenses.
Maryland College Tuition Net Price Calculator This resource allows prospective students to calculate their tuition at community colleges, public universities, and private colleges throughout the state.
Ask Us Now Maryland's librarians are online 24/7 to help students and the general public get answers to their questions. This is an especially useful tool for students who are involved in research but do not know where to begin.
Maryland.gov Adult Learning Webpage This state-supported resource collates valuable information for those who are over 25 years of age and want to return to college. In addition to providing student resources, the site also links adult learners to job opportunities.