Maryland is home to a large higher education network and a developed, diversified economy. Residents also benefit from proximity to Washington, D.C., which the Bureau of Economic Analysis identified as the leading jurisdiction in the United States for personal income in 2023.
The state's government continues to invest in education. According to State Higher Education Finance, Maryland's per-student educational appropriations were about 23% higher than the national average in 2023. States use these tax appropriations as direct funding sources for their public college networks.
This guide to online colleges in Maryland profiles the state's top universities for e-learners. It includes an in-depth institutional ranking, along with info and data that can help you identify a career path, choose a major, and connect with funding opportunities. Use it to plan your path if your educational journey may head through the Old Line State.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Maryland Colleges
#1 Best Online Colleges in Maryland
Morgan State University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $255-$464
Morgan's online programs focus primarily on graduate students. Enrollees can select from six master's degrees, one post-baccalaureate certificate, and one doctoral program. Focus areas include computer science, healthcare, business, and education. Morgan also offers two undergraduate degree programs: cloud computing and applied liberal studies.
These online courses generally include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous components. Students near the Baltimore campus can also take hybrid classes, although completely online tuition may cost less — especially for out-of-state learners. Morgan's institutional scholarships and grants can also help lower tuition.
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#2 Best Online Colleges in Maryland
Notre Dame of Maryland University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $390-$690
NDMU offers seven online degree and certificate programs: two undergraduate and five graduate. Undergraduate options include an RN-BSN bridge program and a bachelor's in business, while the graduate offerings — including the two doctoral programs — mainly focus on education.
These online courses are offered synchronously or asynchronously. Regardless of the delivery format, they generally cost less than NDMU's on-campus classes. Enrollees can also lower costs with institutional scholarships and grants. For example, NDMU's Promise Program provides extra financial aid to qualifying students.
Percent Online Enrollment
77%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#3 Best Online Colleges in Maryland
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit: $318-$499
UMGC offers more than 135 online degrees, along with certificates available through distance learning. The university offers digital textbooks and interest-free payment plans. Degree-seekers can further reduce the cost of school by using transfer credits or gaining college credit for military service or professional experience.
UMGC accepts up to 90 transfer credits for bachelor's degree programs and 12 credits for master's degree programs. The university's nonselective enrollment admits online students into programs like business and management, cybersecurity, and health and science.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric -- affordability -- accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list has not been updated for 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Maryland's housing costs outpace the national average by 46.4%. Studying online is a great way to save on these high costs since you may not need to relocate.
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Maryland
Historically anchored by agriculture, Maryland's modern economy features strong information technology, biotechnology, telecommunications, and defense industries. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also shows robust employment opportunities in education, healthcare, government, and professional services.
Drawing from Projections Central data for 2020-2030, the following table features seven high-growth occupations in Maryland. It profiles select career paths that require a college education, have direct relevance to the state's economy, and are projected to have at least 1,000 annual openings during the 2020s.
Source: BLS, Projections Central
Majors to Consider for Maryland's Job Market
In addition to researching the best online colleges in Maryland, you should carefully consider your choice of major. The following options are directly relevant to the high-growth careers profiled above:
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Education
Maryland is projected to see increased demand for preschool teachers and other educators from 2020-2030. Furthermore, 14.7% of Maryland's civilian labor force works in the education and health services sector, according to BLS data from April 2024. Given these trends, education majors can anticipate a welcoming job landscape.
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Computer Science
Maryland's labor market looks promising for information security analysts, software developers, and other tech professionals. Washington D.C.'s high-profile Dulles Tech Corridor is also adjacent to the state. You could study computer science as a generalist to keep your options open or pursue concentrations in cybersecurity and software development, among others.
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Business
Medical and health services managers, financial managers, and marketers — all of which appear headed for strong growth in Maryland — share educational backgrounds in business-related subjects. Along with business programs, MBAs in healthcare administration, finance, or marketing may appeal to emerging specialists planning to work in Maryland.
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Nursing
Registered nurses enjoy strong job prospects throughout the United States, but the career appears headed for a huge spike in demand in Maryland. Many health services managers also come from medical backgrounds, giving the nursing major additional relevance and transferability.
What Is the Cost of College in Maryland?
In Maryland, college costs differ by institution type. In-state students at public four-year colleges pay an average of $10,041 per year in tuition and fees, which is near the national average. Out-of-state students pay more, an average of $26,721, but this is still lower than the national average.
Private four-year colleges are pricier, averaging $48,240 per year, which is 36% higher than the national average. However, online students can save money by finding student discounts, taking classes from home and avoiding commuting costs, and using free resources like open-source textbooks.
Average Cost of College in Maryland
| Institution Type |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in MD |
Average Tuition and Required Fees in the U.S. |
| Public Four-Year (In-State) |
$10,041 |
$9,750 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) |
$26,721 |
$28,297 |
| Private Four-Year |
$48,240 |
$35,248 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (May 2023)
Scholarships and Savings for Online Colleges in Maryland
Scholarships and grants provide ideal funding opportunities, as they do not require repayment. If you need help meeting your tuition costs or other schooling expenses, these sources provide a great place to start.
Some scholarship and grant programs are available to students who live or attend college in Maryland. These five examples can help you start your search:
The Central Scholarships program includes funding opportunities for students in undergraduate, graduate, and qualified career training programs. Applicants can also pursue no-interest education loans. Combined, the Central Scholarship program delivers more than $1 million in financial aid each year. Award amounts and application deadlines vary by funding program.
Awarded by the Community Foundation of Howard County, this scholarship provides $2,500 to a graduating senior at a high school in Howard County, Maryland. Each candidate must maintain a strong commitment to community service and sportsmanship, along with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 through the first semester of 12th grade to qualify.
This program provides $1,250-$5,000 in education funding to academically gifted Baltimore students living in public housing, rehabilitative settings, or residences in the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 program. To qualify, a candidate must also be a graduating high school senior with an active or pending offer of admission from an accredited postsecondary institution.
The Maryland Senatorial Scholarship offers awards to students attending or planning to attend accredited colleges in the state. For 2024-25, award amounts ranged from $400-$12,948. Each candidate must be a Maryland resident pursuing a two-year or four-year college with demonstrated financial need to qualify.
Apply by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Maryland Higher Education Commission One-App by June 1. Then, contact your local state senator for additional details.
This scholarship opportunity can cover up to the total cost of college attendance. Applications are open to high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students, and learners at private career colleges.
Apply by submitting your FAFSA by March 1. If you are ineligible for federal financial aid but qualify for in-state tuition in Maryland, you must instead file a Maryland State Financial Aid Application.
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students
Public colleges often apply separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Reciprocity agreements offer a workaround, allowing learners from participating states to qualify for discounts at public schools in partner states.
Maryland is part of the Academic Common Market. Beyond Maryland, this reciprocity agreement includes:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Maryland
As of the 2021-2022 academic year, Maryland had 51 degree-granting institutions recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). These schools include 29 public colleges, 19 private nonprofit institutions, and three private for-profit schools.
In the 2021-2022 academic year, Salisbury University had an admission rate of 91%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This school offers online programs and courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, which may make it a good choice for students who prefer schools with inclusive admission policies.
In the fall of 2022, NCES reported an admission rate of just 7% at Baltimore's prestigious Johns Hopkins University. This extreme degree of selectivity puts the college on a level similar to the Ivy League.
Yes -- the University of Maryland Global Campus offers more than 135 degree and certificate programs. Learners can complete most programs through fully online formats.
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