2026 Best Value Value Schools in Maryland

[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Maryland
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Maryland University College this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $74,688. That is a strong return on a $29,200 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Anne Arundel Community College one of the best values for value. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Towson University earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $52,989. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $58,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Stevenson University one of the best values for value. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $62,501. That is a strong return on a $27,042 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Loyola University Baltimore landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore generally make around $54,021. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.