2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Maryland

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Frederick Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,935. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $22,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $23,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

Chesapeake College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $29,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

4

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,469. Liberal Arts General Studies 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coppin State University earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $41,868. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,868 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

Wor Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD

Wor Wic Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,763. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $20,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

8

Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD

Baltimore City Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,850. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,548 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,456. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Garrett College is a small public school located in the rural area of McHenry. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $12,040. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Garrett College generally make around $13,943. That is a strong return on a $13,352 median debt.

12

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,227. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

14

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $22,042. Set against $10,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $37,634. That is a strong return on a $14,375 median debt.

16

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,499 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Allegany College Of Maryland
Cumberland, MD

Allegany College Of Maryland landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Cumberland, Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $27,637 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. 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 general studies graduates is $32,512. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $39,699 early in their careers. Set against $32,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19

Washington Adventist University
Takoma Park, MD

Washington Adventist University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,604 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $47,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Washington Adventist University generally make around $85,352. Set against $47,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington Adventist University admits about 46% of applicants.

20

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $32,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $25,826. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

25

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Baltimore, MD

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $43,360 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.