2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in Maryland

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Johns Hopkins University	6356	6.44	1,520 – 1,580	22844	86306	#1 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 and named for its first benefactor. The first research university in the country, its motto in Latin is “veritas vos liberabit,” or “the truth will set you free.” The Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team plays in the Big Ten Conference as an affiliate member and has over 40 national titles....Read more Undergraduates 6,356 Acceptance Rate 6.4% SAT Score 1,520 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $22,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,306
2	United States Naval Academy	4465	9.36	1,210 – 1,440	0	63721	#2 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD A public undergraduate school, the United States Naval Academy’s motto, in Latin, is “Ex Scientia Tridens,” or “From Knowledge, Seapower.” It was established in 1845 and saw disruption and riots during the Civil War that almost caused the government to move the school. Today, it has a 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 4,465 Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
3	University of Maryland-College Park	31133	44.8	1,400 – 1,540	15833	67785	#3 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD University of Maryland, the state's flagship university, is home to six libraries, the ANSC campus farm, and the UMD golf course. Often called a Public Ivy, it offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools and has extremely high research activity. Computer Science is the most popular undergraduate major. Undergraduates 31,133 Acceptance Rate 44.8% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $15,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,785
4	Loyola University Maryland	3881	75.49	1,230 – 1,390	31857	64453	#4 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Loyola University Maryland accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 3,881 Acceptance Rate 75.5% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $31,857 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,453
5	St. John's College	471	55.14	1,280 – 1,440	27729	56669	#5 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland St. John's College Annapolis, MD Based in Annapolis, St- John's College’s acceptance rate is 55% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 65% of students at St- John's College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 471 Acceptance Rate 55.1% SAT Score 1,280 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $27,729 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,669
6	Washington College	923	56.89	1,160 – 1,400	33553	48763	#6 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Washington College Chestertown, MD The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School, making it the 10th oldest college in the United States. It was also the first college chartered after the American Revolution, and George Washington was heavily involved in the founding. The school received its current name in 1782. Undergraduates 923 Acceptance Rate 56.9% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $33,553 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,763
7	St. Mary's College of Maryland	1632	68.63	1,160 – 1,350	20679	52286	#7 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, MD Founded in 1840, St. Mary’s College of Maryland was originally known as St. Mary’s Female Seminary. It shares its campus with Historic St. Mary’s City, which was the state’s first colony and capital. A majority of students attending today are female, but the school has been co-educational since 1949. Undergraduates 1,632 Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $20,679 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,286
8	Maryland Institute College of Art	1324	77.29	1,060 – 1,350	43066	33451	#8 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Maryland Institute College of Art’s acceptance rate is 77%. They request $60 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 100% of students attending Maryland Institute College of Art currently receive grant aid from the school. At Maryland Institute College of Art, there is a......Read more Undergraduates 1,324 Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $43,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,451
9	University of Maryland-Baltimore County	10767	72.43	1,240 – 1,420	17704	55137	#9 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $75 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 82% of students at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 10,767 Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,704 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,137
10	Goucher College	981	77.7	1,120 – 1,340	28749	40563	#10 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Goucher College Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Goucher College accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 99% of students attending Goucher College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 981 Acceptance Rate 77.7% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $28,749 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,563
11	Towson University	16264	81.98	950 – 1,240	15064	54302	#11 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Towson University Towson, MD Located in Towson, Towson University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. About 51% of students attending Towson University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 16,264 Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 950 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $15,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,302
12	Salisbury University	6288	87.47	1,170 – 1,330	17931	51926	#12 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Found in Salisbury, Salisbury University accepts 87% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 88% of students attending Salisbury University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more Undergraduates 6,288 Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,931 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,926
13	McDaniel College	1631	77.93	1,060 – 1,250	23088	47879	#13 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland McDaniel College Westminster, MD McDaniel College, originally founded in 1867 as Western Maryland College, is a private liberal arts school. 100% of students who attend receive grant aid, $39,979 on average. With a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 56 will graduate in 4 years....Read more Undergraduates 1,631 Acceptance Rate 77.9% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $23,088 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,879
14	Stevenson University	3106	78.91	1,010 – 1,190	28201	54574	#14 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Based in Owings Mills, Stevenson University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Stevenson University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 79% of......Read more Undergraduates 3,106 Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $28,201 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,574
15	Mount St. Mary's University	1833	73.81	1,050 – 1,280	25298	48915	#15 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, MD Found in Emmitsburg, Mount St- Mary's University accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Mount St- Mary's University will receive institutional grant aid. At Mount St- Mary's University, there is a 71%......Read more Undergraduates 1,833 Acceptance Rate 73.8% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $25,298 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,915
16	Notre Dame of Maryland University	686	86.49	920 – 1,140	22552	63918	#16 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Notre Dame of Maryland University accepted 86% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of students attending Notre Dame of Maryland University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Undergraduates 686 Acceptance Rate 86.5% SAT Score 920 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $22,552 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,918
17	Capitol Technology University	263	11.03	1,020 – 1,230	23223	76545	#17 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Capitol Technology University Laurel, MD Found in Laurel, Capitol Technology University accepts 11% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Capitol Technology University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 263 Acceptance Rate 11.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $23,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,545
18	University of Baltimore	1292	85.55	940 – 1,070	17253	48197	#18 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, the University of Baltimore’s acceptance rate is 86% and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. About 77% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 78%....Read more Undergraduates 1,292 Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 940 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $17,253 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,197
19	Frostburg State University	2619	89.2	930 – 1,240	16521	43638	#19 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Based in Frostburg, Frostburg State University’s acceptance rate is 89%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 87% of students at Frostburg State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate......Read more Undergraduates 2,619 Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,521 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,638
20	Morgan State University	9027	82.23	850 – 1,080	15350	40065	#20 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Morgan State University Baltimore, MD Morgan State University got its start in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute. It changed its name in 1890 to honor Lyttleton Morgan and became a university in 1975. MSU’s 100-acre campus is a designated national historic site. The school accepts 82% of applicants and awards up to Doctor's degrees. Undergraduates 9,027 Acceptance Rate 82.2% SAT Score 850 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $15,350 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,065
21	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	2233	90.36	850 – 1,010	14595	34624	#21 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 72% first year retention rate. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a commonly chosen major, though there are nearly 40 available areas of study. A NCAA Division I without football school, 190 athletes are known as Hawks. Undergraduates 2,233 Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 850 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $14,595 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,624
22	Bowie State University	5136	75	770 – 980	16117	43877	#22 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Bowie State University Bowie, MD Part of the University System of Maryland, Bowie State University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the United States. It’s somewhat selective, and many undergraduates choose to study Business Administration and Management, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, and Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician. Undergraduates 5,136 Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 770 – 980 Avg. Net Price $16,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,877
23	Washington Adventist University	605	45.36	830 – 1,070	16732	40114	#23 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, MD Found in Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University accepts 45% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 69% and its four year graduation rate is 19%. The three most popular majors......Read more Undergraduates 605 Acceptance Rate 45.4% SAT Score 830 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $16,732 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,114
24	Hood College	1198	77.77	930 – 1,180	23462	48415	#24 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Hood College Frederick, MD Undergraduates 1,198 Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,415
25	Coppin State University	1810	49.56	860 – 1,040	7684	42243	#25 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Coppin State University Baltimore, MD Found in Baltimore, Coppin State University accepts 50% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 77% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. They are given $9,911 on average. The first year retention rate is 61%....Read more Undergraduates 1,810 Acceptance Rate 49.6% SAT Score 860 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $7,684 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,243
26	Ner Israel Rabbinical College	292	79.41	--	11734	53468	#26 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland Ner Israel Rabbinical College Baltimore, MD Undergraduates 292 Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,468
27	University of Maryland Global Campus	50793	76.33	--	14545	58051	#27 2026 Best Colleges in Maryland University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD Undergraduates 50,793 Acceptance Rate 76.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,545 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,051