Maryland is home to 52 degree-granting postsecondary institutions, including public, nonprofit, and private colleges and universities. It is located in the southern region of the country and is the 9th smallest state by land.
Despite its size, Maryland has a significantly higher number of populations with degrees than many other states. Its college attainment rate is the third highest at 40%. The cost of living in Maryland is comparatively high. However, the educational expenses are affordable and offer flexible degree options for both students and working individuals.
Why choose Maryland for online college?
Maryland is a highly regarded state for education in terms of quality, cost, and degree options. Colleges in the state provide flexible online degrees that are particularly suitable for single parents, working individuals, and the underserved population.
Maryland also has a very strong economic status. The largest sectors are finance, insurance, real estate, and business services. Other leading sectors contributing to the economy are biotechnology, information technology, aerospace, and defense. Students completing graduation in the state are in a favorable position for getting placements in its growing economy.
Online colleges in Maryland
Maryland has several colleges suitable for distance learners. To help you find the right college, we have listed a few of the popular ones that you can look into. We have selected these based on their popularity, cost of education, and online degree options.
Frostburg State University
Non Sponsored School
Frostburg, Maryland
Capitol Technology University
Non Sponsored School
Laurel, Maryland
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Salisbury University
Non Sponsored School
Salisbury, Maryland
Stevenson University
Non Sponsored School
Pikesville, Maryland
Towson University
Non Sponsored School
Towson, Maryland
Cost of attending college in Maryland
The average tuition & required fees in Maryland for public four-year institutions are $9,714(in-state) and $27,984 (out-of-state), whereas private four-year institutions will charge $44,048. However, students attending online classes typically only pay for tuition and technology fees, which saves them a considerable amount of money as compared to on-campus courses. The exact cost will vary from college to college and the type of degree you want to achieve.
Maryland is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Out-of-state students from member states can receive highly discounted tuition rates by choosing academic courses listed in the Academic Common Market program. Alternatively, students can receive in-state tuition by becoming a resident for tuition purposes.
Maryland Scholarships
Several organizations in Maryland provide need-based and merit-based scholarships, which can help you cut down a proportion of your educational expenses. We have listed a few options that you can look into. Eligibility criteria and scholarship amount will vary for each program.
| The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program | Scholarship Amount |
| Eligible for students with financial needs who live in subsidized housing in Montgomery County, Maryland. | Amount Varies See Scholarship |
| Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts (VAIC) Scholarship Program | Scholarship Amount |
| Applicable for US armed forces who served in Afghanistan and Iraq conflict. The program also includes their sons, daughters, and spouses who are currently high school seniors or undergraduate students. | $4,650 to $7,735 See Scholarship |
| The Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Fund | Scholarship Amount |
| The eligible candidate is a resident of Maryland and is planning to enter a medical or medical-related field. | $1,000 See Scholarship |
| Esperanza Scholarship | Scholarship Amount |
| Eligible candidates must be planning to enroll full-time at an accredited institution and have a family income of less than $100,000. | $5,000 to $20,000 See Scholarship |
| Central Scholarship Program | Scholarship Amount |
| The applicant must be a Maryland resident and have a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Additionally, their family income should be $90,000 or less. | Amount Varies See Scholarship |
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, the applicant needs to stay in Maryland for 12 consecutive months to be eligible for in-state tuition. There are other requirements as well. Refer to requirements for In-State Status for more details.
University of Maryland Global Campus, Morgan State University, and Coppin State University are some of the cheapest colleges in Maryland.
University of Maryland, Frostburg State University, and Coppin State University are some of the best online colleges in Maryland.
