State Hub

Colleges in Maryland

CampusPin tracks 52 colleges in Maryland — 34 universities and 18 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

52

Universities

34

Community colleges

18

Avg. in-state tuition

$18k

About college search in Maryland

How Maryland's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Maryland is small in land area but dense in higher-education options: a flagship research university, a coordinated public system, a strong private sector anchored by Johns Hopkins, and one of the most accessible community-college networks in the country. Most Maryland residents live within a one-hour drive of a four-year public, a four-year private, and at least one community college — which makes commute-friendly searches especially viable here.

In-state tuition at Maryland public universities is materially lower than at the private sector. The state also runs the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship and a tuition-waiver program for transfer students who complete an associate degree at a Maryland community college and transfer to a Maryland public university. These pathways change the math on affordability for many in-state families and should be evaluated alongside sticker-price comparisons.

Strong public flagship

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is the state’s public flagship and one of the larger universities on the East Coast. UMD anchors the University System of Maryland.

Dense private sector

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and a tier of mid-sized private institutions (e.g., Loyola, Goucher, McDaniel, Hood, Notre Dame of Maryland) give in-state and out-of-state students unusually broad private options.

16-school community college network

Maryland’s 16 community colleges cover every county and Baltimore City. Transfer pathways to Maryland public universities are formalized through state articulation agreements.

Proximity to DC and Virginia

Students searching in Maryland frequently compare with Washington, DC and Northern Virginia institutions. Maryland’s DC-area campuses are commutable from much of the state.

Public university system

University System of Maryland (USM)

USM coordinates the state’s public four-year universities (including UMD College Park, UMBC, Towson, Salisbury, Frostburg, Bowie State, Coppin State, UMES, and UMUC/UMGC). Tuition, articulation agreements, and transfer policies are coordinated across the system.

Community college network

Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC)

Maryland’s 16 community colleges serve every county and Baltimore City. Most offer associate degrees with formalized transfer pathways to USM four-year universities.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Maryland public universities charge meaningfully different in-state and out-of-state tuition rates; the in-state discount typically exceeds 50%. Compare in-state numbers only if you (or your parents) are Maryland residents, and confirm residency requirements directly with the institution.

Top metros for college search

Where Maryland's higher-education density concentrates

  • Baltimore

    Baltimore anchors the largest concentration of Maryland higher education, including Johns Hopkins, UMBC, Loyola, Towson (just north), Morgan State, and the Community College of Baltimore County.

  • College Park / Washington-Suburban

    College Park is home to the public flagship UMD; the broader DC-Maryland suburbs include Bowie State, the University of Maryland Global Campus, and Prince George’s and Montgomery community colleges.

  • Annapolis

    Annapolis hosts the U.S. Naval Academy and is home to St. John’s College and Anne Arundel Community College.

  • Western Maryland (Frostburg / Cumberland)

    Frostburg State University and Allegany College of Maryland serve Western Maryland and are the most affordable in-state on-campus options for families in that region.

  • Eastern Shore (Salisbury / Princess Anne)

    Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (an HBCU and 1890 land-grant) anchor the Eastern Shore.

South region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Maryland

Across Maryland (MD), CampusPin currently indexes 52 institutions: 30 public and 22 private, split between 34 universities and 18 community colleges. Students often compare fast-growing metros, flagship publics, regional campuses, and cost-sensitive pathways across a wide mix of institutions.

Run one search for broad public options and another for community-college or commuter-oriented pathways.
Check campus setting and support services early because regional fit can vary more than names alone suggest.
Keep cost, transfer, and online flexibility visible if location is important but not completely fixed.

Browse by major

Maryland colleges by program

Jump straight to Maryland colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Maryland.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Maryland

Filter all Maryland schools

How to use the Maryland hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Maryland so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Maryland

Explore all colleges in MarylandView community colleges in MarylandView online programs in MarylandRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Maryland

How many colleges are in Maryland?
CampusPin currently tracks all of Maryland’s public four-year universities, community colleges, and private nonprofit colleges. The live count is shown in the page header; it updates as institutions report changes to IPEDS.
Which is the public flagship university in Maryland?
The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is the state’s public flagship. It is the largest research university in the University System of Maryland and one of the larger public universities on the East Coast.
What is the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Maryland public universities?
Maryland public universities charge a substantially higher rate for out-of-state students; the in-state discount typically exceeds 50%. Residency rules are set per institution and per the University System of Maryland — confirm with each school directly before assuming you qualify.
Does Maryland have transfer pathways from community college to four-year universities?
Yes. Maryland’s 16 community colleges have formalized articulation agreements with University System of Maryland four-year universities. Students who earn an associate degree at a Maryland community college and meet program-specific requirements can typically transfer with junior-year standing into a USM public university.
What are the most affordable colleges in Maryland for in-state students?
Maryland community colleges are the most affordable on-campus path, with some students qualifying for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship. After that, regional public universities like Frostburg State, Salisbury, Bowie State, and UMES typically post lower in-state tuition than UMD College Park. Always compare net price (after aid) rather than sticker price.
How many HBCUs are in Maryland?
Maryland has four historically Black colleges and universities: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Morgan State operates independently; Bowie State, Coppin State, and UMES are part of the University System of Maryland.
Can students compare Maryland colleges with DC and Virginia colleges on CampusPin?
Yes. Pin Maryland schools and schools in DC or Virginia, then open /compare to see them side by side on tuition, acceptance rate, enrollment, and programs. Many Maryland-based students apply across the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Maryland search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Maryland

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.