2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Maryland

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,935. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,067. Set against $8,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Carroll Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $23,320 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

A rank of #3 makes Chesapeake College one of the best values for liberal arts. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #4. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,469. Liberal Arts graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $27,852 early in their careers. Set against $13,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

A rank of #5 makes Coppin State University one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $41,868 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

6

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,217. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

7

Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD

Baltimore City Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,850. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $41,120. That is a strong return on a $8,850 median debt.

8

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,548. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $25,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Garrett College is a small public school located in the rural area of McHenry. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,040. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Garrett College generally make around $13,943. That is a strong return on a $13,352 median debt.

10

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,456. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $29,862. Set against $9,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $10,227 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,448. Set against $10,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

13

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,200. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,042. Set against $10,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Allegany College Of Maryland
Cumberland, MD

Allegany College Of Maryland placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $27,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

15

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $32,512. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $39,699. That is a strong return on a $32,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

16

Washington Adventist University
Takoma Park, MD

Washington Adventist University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,604. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $47,033 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $85,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington Adventist University admits about 46% of applicants.

17

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $32,889. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

18

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $25,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.

20

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. 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 liberal arts graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $45,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

21

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Baltimore, MD

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,360. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

22

St Johns College Maryland
Annapolis, MD

St Johns College Maryland earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Annapolis, St Johns College Maryland is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,684 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,603. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.