2027 Best Value Education Schools in Maryland

[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Hagerstown Community College this year. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #2 place for education. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,230. Early-career education graduates make about $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prince Georges Community College earned it the #3 place for education. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Chesapeake College one of the best values for education. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,274, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $52,395. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Maryland earned it the #5 place for education. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,719. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College came in at #6 for value in education this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wor Wic Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $13,995 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $51,392. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Education graduates carry a median of $16,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cecil College placed #9 among the best values for education. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.
Anne Arundel Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Education graduates carry a median of $13,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,500. Early-career education graduates make about $63,995. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Coppin State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $33,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $53,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $57,205. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University placed #14 among the best values for education. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $33,479 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,766. That is a strong return on a $33,479 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Towson University earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,933. Early-career education graduates make about $56,941. That is a strong return on a $20,933 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Frostburg State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,916. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Salisbury University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,068. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $47,475. That is a strong return on a $24,068 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. Set against $22,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,426. Education graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $77,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earned the #20 position for value in education this year. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $43,360. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $60,215 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,474. Early-career education graduates make about $52,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Hood College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $83,176. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,452 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $79,044. Set against $16,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,276. Early-career education graduates make about $69,871. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.
Goucher College placed #25 among the best values for education. Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $59,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Goucher College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.