2026 Best Value Education Schools in Maryland

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

For return on investment in education, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.

2

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,398. Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.

3

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

A rank of #3 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

4

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,804. Early-career education graduates make about $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Wor Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD

Wor Wic Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,995. Early-career education graduates make about $51,392. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt.

6

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Students borrow a median of $33,865 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $53,215. That is a strong return on a $33,865 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $46,478 early in their careers. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland came in at #8 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,728. Early-career education graduates make about $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College placed #9 among the best values for education. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.

11

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Howard Community College earn a median of $56,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College placed #12 among the best values for education. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,949. Education graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.

13

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $70,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $63,651. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

15

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,000. Education graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

16

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $33,479 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $53,431. That is a strong return on a $33,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

18

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,068. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $47,103. Set against $24,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,933 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $57,022. Set against $20,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

20

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #20 for value in education this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,426. Early-career education graduates make about $81,180. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

21

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Education graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $57,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

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

St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #22 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,655. Education graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $41,665 early in their careers. Set against $22,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

23

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $52,619. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

24

Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College came in at #24 for value in education this year. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. Education graduates carry a median of $16,452 in student loans. Education graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $77,006 early in their careers. Set against $16,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.

25

Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $47,700 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Education graduates of Hood College earn a median of $78,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.