2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Maryland

1

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in Maryland. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The Community College Of Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $16,804 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,440. That is a strong return on a $16,804 median debt.

3

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Frostburg State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,800. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. General Education graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $51,377 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. General Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $55,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $63,838. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

8

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,331. General Education graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $55,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,655. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. That is a strong return on a $22,655 median debt. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.

10

Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $63,622. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

11

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Baltimore, MD

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $63,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.