Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state known for its connection with the Chesapeake Bay in both region and cuisine. Annapolis, a small naval and boating town is the state's capital and home to quaint historic buildings and homes. The national anthem was penned on Fort Mc Henry in Baltimore after Francis Scott Key witnessed its bombardment by British ships during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Baltimore, a part of the rust belt, also known as "Charm City" and to the locals' amusement "The Greatest City in America" is known for its gritty culture and unique "Hon" culture (think John Water's Hairspray — wingtip glasses and beehives) and funky hip restaurants and watering holes. Sports are a big part of this northern-most state in the South especially Football, Baseball and Lacrosse. It's true that locals themselves don't know quite how to classify themselves. Are Marylander's Yankees? Are they Southerns? This could very well be the smallest state with the biggest clash of cultures. Whether a Senator from D.C., an eastern shore fisherman, or a student at one of the best flagship school's in the country The University or Maryland, it seems apparent that Marylander's make Maryland their home for life. Knowing that one of the largest perks of online education is being able to complete your schooling from anywhere, there are a number of reasons why Marylanders prefer (and rightfully so) to obtain online degrees from colleges in their own state.
In-state tuition is often applied to public schools offering online programs. Many online programs require some face-to-face time, or more numerous support services at their brick and mortar locations. Intensive study experiences–often on the weekends or in several week long bouts–enable many online students to accelerate their time until graduation. And students looking at online education can drastically expand their educational options if they also look to hybrid degrees (degrees where degrees can be taken partially, or mostly online). Finally, one of the most common stipulations in scholarships is that students be from a certain state or region, often more funds are available to students seeking degrees in-state.
Top Public Offerings
Many of the top online public schools in Maryland offer online programs of study at the associate's through doctoral level. The University of Maryland – College Park is ranked 60th in the country according to US News and is a flagship university with an online doctoral program in interdisciplinary studies. The university college program offers an impressive 42 online degrees ranging from bachelor's to doctoral degree programs. For those looking to save money, or transfer into a four-year university there are 15 associates degrees available at the College of Southern Maryland a community college with multiple locations throughout the state.
Top Private Offerings
A number of online offerings are also available from private universities in Maryland. The largest in our pool of top picks is that of Maryland University of Integrated Health (MUIH) with 51 online degrees ranging from the associate to doctoral level. Programs are available from multiple schools and channelled through MUIH. Stevenson offers 10 quality programs completely online including an M.S. in cyber forensics! Washington Adventist provides an M.B.A. in three areas of concentration.
Featured Online Schools
The national average for tuition is presently just over $9,400 for in-state tuition and rapidly growing. However, in Maryland, public school offerings average $7,300, that's over $2,000 below the national average. When it comes to private universities, the state of Maryland averages around $20,000 per year which is nearly $15,000 below the national average for private universities. The University of Maryland – College Park one of the top public schools in the country offers in-state tuition for $10,181 slightly more than average public university costs but with the academic caliber of an Ivy League school. Community colleges average around $7,000 per academic year. However, Baltimore City Community College is considerably lower at just $2,578 per academic year.
Known as "charm city," Baltimore has a number of cultural and historic offerings as well as academic and artistic offerings. Did you know that a "painted lady" is actually a row home in the historic Charles Village district? Or that John Waters' "Pink Flamingo" is emblematic of the Baltimore "front yard"? Did you know that the national anthem was written there or that Edgar Allen Poe lived there? Baltimore is mysterious. Baltimore is the quirky southern town that isn't really sure if its northern or southern. Maryland is just south of the Mason Dixon line, making this city a cultural clash of north and south. Part of the rust belt, Baltimore was once a money-making culture built on its harbor and steel industry. Baltimore is back now with a Renaissance purely unique to this area. When it comes to education, you are only ever a stone's throw away from the next great inner-city university. Relax, hon… there's no need to leave Baltimore when it comes to finding the best online education.
Residents of Washington D.C. may never want to leave and for good reason — economic stability provided through government jobs and not to mention the sheer number of phenomenal universities available right in the nation's capital. The District of Columbia is home to Georgetown University- the 20th best university in our nation according to U.S. News and has one of the best business, medical and, law schools in the country. If you're looking for monuments, politics, and centrality, perhaps consider George Washington University another top school in our nation's capital — ranked 56th nationally according to U.S. News. Howard University, an historically African American university is a private doctoral research university with high research activity and ranked 124th in the nation. The density of schools available as well as the broad city amenities and job opportunities offered may be the reason to consider heading to campus for an education in D.C.
While there are a number of quality online providers in Maryland and surrounding states (notable UMUC, one of the largest online education providers in the nation), potential students should consider what exactly they're gaining from an online education in a region so dense with traditional opportunity. With so many phenomenal schools densely located in "The City that Reads," many students might be better served checking out traditional educational options in the region. These options include the highly prestigious Johns Hopkins (home to arguably the best Medical school in the country), many art institutes including the Peabody Insitute and the Maryland Institute College of Art, Goucher — a highly innovative liberal arts school where 100% of students study abroad — and Morgan State, a historically black university with amazing programming and scholarship opportunities. Add to this the ability of students throughout much of Maryland being able to commute to Pennsylvania, Deleware, or D.C., and there are tons of regional options worth considering.
Baltimore
Population: 622,793 Cost of Living: 106.4% Top Industries: Education, healthcare, retail, public relations Local Online Degrees: 4
Frederick
Population: 68,400 Cost of Living: 112.8% Top Industries: professional scientific and technical, education, healthcare, construction Local Online Degrees: 0
Rockville
Population: 65,937 Cost of Living: 123.2% Top Industries: professional scientific and technical, public administration, education, health care Local Online Degrees: 3
Annapolis
Population: 38,856 Cost of Living: 110.9% Top Industries: professional scientific and teachnical services, construction, health care, retail trade Local Online Degrees: 0
Hagerstown
Population: 40,364 Cost of Living: 106.9% Top Industries: retail, manufacturing, health care, finance and insurance Local Online Degrees: 0
Salisbury
Population: 32,563 Cost of Living: 93.9% Top Industries: manufacturing, accommodation and food service, health care, education Local Online Degrees: 0
The Best Online Colleges in Maryland
Monitoring the accreditation of a university you are interested in attending is incredibly important. Accreditation ensures your credits can transfer that you can receive Federal financial aid, and most importantly that certain standards of educational quality are during your schooling. The highest accreditation standard for most programs in the United States is provided by regional accreditation agencies. The regional accrediting agency for Indiana is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, one of six regional accrediting agencies responsible for accrediting schools in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Making sure that a University you're hoping to attend is regionally accredited — or accredited by a real and respected accrediting agency — is one of the most important choices you can make in ensuring the quality of your education.
Three Steps for Securing Financial Aid
Submit your FAFSA.
Check to see if additional forms are needed at your university of choice.
Search and apply for private scholarships.
Through the previous three steps most students find themselves offered some sort of federal grant, work study, private grant, scholarship, or stipend.
Great Maryland Higher Education Resources
There are Maryland University System schools located throughout the state, at nearly every price point and level of admissions rigor. Check out the directory of Maryland University System schools here.
For a similar directory of Baltimore County, check out the Baltimore County Government's directory here.
For entrepreneurial or business-minded students, Open Business Maryland highlights a number of the perks and support networks for business and business incubation in the state. The organization also partners with a number of others in educational initiatives.
If you're looking for financial aid in the District go here.
Providing financial assistance to the African American community in Washington DC since the civil rights movement. Check out this historical foundation here.
The number one place to look for financial guidance and a secured education for the latin community is here.
Looking for more financial opportunity for your budding college-bound kids, take a look at SOAR.
Inner city students gain greater opportunity to advance successfully through college with the College Bound Foundation. Find out more information and see if you're eligible to apply here.
For support of local community across Baltimore and the nation look into the Annie E. Casey Foundation here.
Visit the historic Chesapeake region and learn all about the natural beauty of the eastern shore of Maryland here.
For a glimpse into Baltimore's unique eclectic culture you will want to be in town for Honfest.
If you need a quick ride from Baltimore to D.C. you'll want to catch the MARC Train. Look up the schedule here.
Learn more about Annapolis, a quaint historic state capital on foot with this walking tour.
From one of the most esteemed news sources in Baltimore, learn about all of the hidden gems of Maryland here.
