Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Maryland
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Maryland7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Maryland.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maryland
- Net price $18,809 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · PublicHonor RollTop 5% for graduation
- Net price $15,678 a year
- 89% graduate
- 3
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · PublicTop 15% for earnings
- Net price $16,467 a year
- 70% graduate
- 4
St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $18,441 a year
- 70% graduate
- 5
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD · PublicTop 24% for graduation
- Net price $17,743 a year
- 68% graduate
- 6
- 7
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitTop 19% for earnings
- Net price $19,169 a year
- 50% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | About $19,000 | $10,250 | $87,555 | 94% |
| University of Maryland-College Park | About $16,000 | $19,000 | $82,860 | 89% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | About $16,000 | $19,500 | $69,960 | 70% |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | About $18,000 | $21,000 | $60,110 | 70% |
| Salisbury University | About $18,000 | $21,000 | $61,515 | 68% |
| Towson University | About $17,000 | $18,718 | $64,390 | 69% |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | About $19,000 | $22,666 | $65,344 | 50% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.