Best Online Colleges in Maryland
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Maryland is home to some of the best colleges in the country — and you don't have to leave home to enroll at top schools like the University of Maryland.
Online colleges in Maryland enroll thousands of students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields like business, tech, healthcare, and education. You can find a Maryland online college that fits your budget and educational goals.
Want to learn more? Check out our ranking of the best online colleges in Maryland.
Related Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Maryland
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $319-$873
Out-of-State | $1,309-$1,549
Credits to Graduate: 120 (bachelor's) and 30-42 (master's)
Six professional schools and an interdisciplinary graduate school make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Instead of offering a wide variety of degree programs, the university is very focused and only offers programs in human services, healthcare, and law. Its professional schools include dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and medicine.
You can pursue an undergraduate RN-to-BSN program fully online or complete an RN-to-MSN program. The majority of UM's programs are offered at the graduate level. Online graduate programs include health services leadership and management, social entrepreneurship, and pharmacometrics.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Towson University
Towson, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $702
Out-of-State | $1,270
Credits to Graduate: 30+ (graduate degrees)
You can complete master's-level degrees and certificates, as well as doctoral degrees, entirely online at Towson University. Master's program options include education, liberal arts and humanities, and technology and security.
Townson also offers 19 fully online graduate certificates and individual graduate-level courses that aim to help professionals boost their skills and increase their knowledge. At Townson, you'll experience small class sizes, averaging 24 students per class.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Stevenson University
Stevenson, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $405-$705
Out-of-State | $405-$705
Credits to Graduate: 120 (bachelor's) and 30+ (master's)
Stevenson University is a small private college with about 900 online students and a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. All student undergrads participate in a practicum, internship, or research experience as part of their program.
The school offers 10 bachelor's and 21 master's programs online, as well as several online certificates. You can also explore Stevenson's dual degree programs, where you can graduate in five years with both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $390-$435
Out-of-State | $390-$435
Credits to Graduate: 120 (bachelor's) and 30+ (master's)
Founded in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University is a Catholic college with a small student population of around 1,700 students.
NDMU has 20 online degree programs, most of which are master's programs. Courses are offered in eight-week sessions. You can complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in business through NDMU's five-year, fully online program. The school also hosts a BSN bridge program; this 15-month accelerated program is for students who hold a bachelor's degree in any field who want to earn a bachelor's in nursing.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $570-$680
Out-of-State | $570-$680
Credits to Graduate: 30-36 (master's)
Goucher College is a private liberal arts college based in Baltimore. Although there are no online bachelor's programs at Goucher, you can enroll in master's-level degree and certificate programs.
There are six online master's programs at Goucher College. Degree options include a master's in education, a master's in environmental sustainability and management, and a master's in digital communication. These programs are designed for working professionals and emphasize flexibility.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Cost of College in Maryland
The cost of college in Maryland is very similar to the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Maryland residents pay around $10,000 per year in tuition and fees at public universities.
You can save on college costs by researching affordable online colleges in Maryland. Online colleges offer cost savings on tuition, living expenses, and transportation costs.
Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
---|---|
Public 4-year (In-State) | $9,851 |
Public 4-year (Out-of-State) | $27,111 |
Private 4-year | $47,092 |
Public 2-year (In-State) | $4,367 |
Public 2-year (Out-of-State) | $10,631 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Maryland
Some of the fastest-growing jobs in Maryland include physical therapist assistant, nurse practitioner, and medical and health services managers. These careers, along with many other in-demand roles, require a college degree.
Attending a Maryland online college can mean more job opportunities and a higher earning potential. Plus, you'll be able to connect to local employers in Maryland. These career paths tend to pay more than jobs that don't require a degree.
Job | Job Growth 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage 2022 |
---|---|---|
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians | 59% | $58,860 |
Animal Trainers | 56% | $42,130 |
Nonfarm Animal Caretakers | 54% | $35,490 |
Restaurant Cooks | 41% | $35,120 |
Physical Therapist Assistants | 39% | $64,550 |
Massage Therapists | 33% | $67,820 |
Nurse Practitioners | 32% | $119,650 |
Audiologists | 26% | $79,280 |
Phlebotomists | 23% | $45,130 |
Medical and Health Services Managers | 23% | $148,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Maryland
What is the #1 college in Maryland?
The top-ranked college in Maryland is Johns Hopkins University, a private research university in Baltimore. Maryland's #1 public college is the University of Maryland, located in College Park. Maryland is home to many prestigious on-campus and online colleges.
Is online college free in Maryland?
No, online college is not free in Maryland. However, many online colleges in Maryland offer affordable tuition rates and financial aid opportunities. You can also compare schools on affordability when searching.
Maryland does offer free community college to low- and middle-income students.
Does the University of Maryland offer online degrees?
Yes, the University of Maryland offers more than 125 programs through its global campus. You can choose from more than 30 undergraduate programs or more than 55 graduate programs.
Along with being one of the top-ranked online colleges, the University of Maryland is also considered an affordable college.
How many online colleges are in Maryland?
There are dozens of online colleges in Maryland, including 28 four-year institutions and 16 two-year institutions that offer online programs. You can also choose from public and private online colleges in the state. When researching Maryland online universities, make sure to choose an accredited institution.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Maryland?
The easiest online college to get into in Maryland is the University of Maryland Global Campus. The public university uses an open admissions policy. That means that if you have a high school diploma or the equivalent, you can attend the school, regardless of your GPA or test scores.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 27, 2024.