Choosing the Best School for You
We analyzed 16 colleges and universities across Maryland to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Maryland have accumulated an average of $14,530 in student debt.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Associate Degree Schools in Maryland
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,778
Associate Degrees Awarded
$22,425
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,695
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found Montgomery College to be the best school for associate degrees in Maryland in this year’s ranking. Located in Rockville, Maryland, the fairly large public school awarded 2,778 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Montgomery College is $22,425 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,695.
Full Montgomery College Report
212
Associate Degrees Awarded
Out of the 16 associate degree schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, Chesapeake College landed the #2 spot on the list. Chesapeake College is located in Wye Mills, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 212 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Learn More About Chesapeake College
385
Associate Degrees Awarded
$50,226
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #3 on our Best Associate Degree in Maryland list means Baltimore City Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 385 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $50,226 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Baltimore City Community College
2,194
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,071
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 16 associate degree schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland Global Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. UMGC is located in Adelphi, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,194 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from UMGC go into careers with an average salary of $41,071 during the early years of their career.
Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report
1,813
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,993
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,226
Average Student Debt
Out of the 16 associate degree schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, Community College of Baltimore County landed the #5 spot on the list. Community College of Baltimore County is a fairly large public school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 1,813 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from CCBC is $45,993 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,226 in student loans.
Learn More About Community College of Baltimore County
1,354
Associate Degrees Awarded
$60,895
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,242
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #6, Prince George’s Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland list. Largo, Maryland is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,354 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from PGCC make an average of $60,895 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $16,242 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Prince George’s Community College
1,570
Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,846
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,670
Average Student Debt
Anne Arundel Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large public school is located in Arnold, Maryland, and it awarded 1,570 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from AACC is $28,846 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $18,670 in student loans.
Full Anne Arundel Community College Report
1,273
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,559
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,522
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #8, Howard Community College did quite well on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland list. This medium-sized public school is located in Columbia, Maryland, and it awarded 1,273 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from HCC go into careers with an average salary of $44,559 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,522.
Read full report on Howard Community College
599
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,307
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,955
Average Student Debt
Hagerstown Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. HCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Hagerstown, Maryland. It awarded 599 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from HCC make an average of $45,307 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,955 in student loans.
Full Hagerstown Community College Report
910
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,470
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,527
Average Student Debt
College of Southern Maryland landed the #10 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. CSM is located in La Plata, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 910 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from CSM go into careers with an average salary of $41,470 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,527.
Learn More About College of Southern Maryland
806
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,308
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,841
Average Student Debt
Frederick Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland list. Frederick Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Frederick, Maryland that handed out 806 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Frederick Community College is $38,308 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,841 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Frederick Community College
468
Associate Degrees Awarded
$47,833
Average Early-Career Earnings
Allegany College of Maryland landed the #12 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. This small public school is located in Cumberland, Maryland, and it awarded 468 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Allegany College of Maryland make an average of $47,833 a year.
Read full report on Allegany College of Maryland
291
Associate Degrees Awarded
$49,539
Average Early-Career Earnings
Wor-Wic Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #13. This small public school is located in Salisbury, Maryland, and it awarded 291 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Wor-Wic Community College is $49,539 during the early years of their career.
Full Wor-Wic Community College Report
870
Associate Degrees Awarded
$46,351
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,391
Average Student Debt
Harford Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #14. Harford Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bel Air, Maryland. It awarded 870 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,351 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,391 in student loans.
Full Harford Community College Report
476
Associate Degrees Awarded
$44,065
Average Early-Career Earnings
Carroll Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Maryland list. Located in Westminster, Maryland, the small public school awarded 476 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Carroll Community College make an average of $44,065 a year.
Read full report on Carroll Community College
