Best Value Biology Colleges in Maryland

Coppin State University delivers the strongest return on investment for biology students in Maryland, with graduates earning $38,289 annually after paying just $6,007 in net costs. This earnings figure tops even Johns Hopkins graduates who earn $30,409 despite the well-known university's $18,161 net price. The 20 biology programs across Maryland show dramatic cost variations, spanning from Coppin's $6,007 to Loyola University Maryland's $29,633. Maryland's proximity to the National Institutes of Health and federal research agencies creates strong demand for biology graduates in government labs, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical research. Public universities dominate the value rankings, with seven of the top ten spots occupied by state schools that leverage Maryland's research infrastructure while maintaining affordable tuition rates.

Programs

$6,007 – $29,633

Net Price Range

$29,084

Avg. Program Earnings

59.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland	$6,007	$38,289	$7,001	25.6%	45.0%
2	University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland	$14,035	$29,141	$8,898	34.6%	81.6%
3	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$31,964	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
4	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015	$27,500	$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
5	Towson University Towson, Maryland	$16,791	$29,829	$11,306	67.6%	78.6%
6	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$18,161	$30,409	$63,340	94.6%	7.3%
7	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$25,194	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
8	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$25,484	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
9	St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, Maryland	$18,362	$26,121	$15,236	68.0%	77.3%
10	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328	$25,194	$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
11	Stevenson University Owings Mills, Maryland	$26,806	$35,060	$39,708	66.4%	84.1%
12	Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, Maryland	$24,536	$31,839	$41,910	51.9%	69.6%
13	Washington College Chestertown, Maryland	$29,095	$33,993	$54,356	74.1%	74.7%
14	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, Maryland	$29,633	$25,194	$55,480	80.5%	83.5%
15	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland	$24,987	$21,052	$47,240	58.0%	79.6%
16	McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland	$20,923		$49,647	63.8%	82.1%
17	Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland	$19,335		$8,999	38.1%	86.5%
18	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$23,707		$45,870	55.3%	77.9%
19	Goucher College Baltimore, Maryland	$23,774		$51,250	60.0%	80.2%
20	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026		$25,200	40.0%	51.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Coppin State University the best value for biology students?

Coppin State combines the lowest net cost at $6,007 with the highest graduate earnings at $38,289 in the state. The university's Baltimore location provides access to medical research facilities and biotechnology companies. Biology graduates carry an average debt load of $20,017, which remains manageable given their strong earning potential.

How do public and private biology programs compare in cost?

Public universities average around $15,000 in net costs while private institutions range from $24,000 to $29,000. Johns Hopkins stands as the notable exception among private schools, offering competitive value at $18,161 net cost. The 94.6% graduation rate at Johns Hopkins significantly exceeds other programs, though public options like University of Maryland College Park achieve 88.6% graduation rates at similar costs.

Does Johns Hopkins justify its higher costs for biology students?

Johns Hopkins charges $18,161 in net costs but delivers a 94.6% graduation rate, the highest among all programs. However, biology graduates earn $30,409, which falls below several public university outcomes. The 7.25% acceptance rate makes admission extremely competitive, while public alternatives offer better financial returns with more accessible admission standards.

Where do Maryland biology graduates find the best job opportunities?

Baltimore and the Washington D.C. metro area concentrate most biology career opportunities through government agencies like NIH and NSA. Biotech companies and pharmaceutical research facilities cluster near these federal installations. Maryland's position in the BioHealth Capital Region supports over 3,000 life sciences companies, creating consistent demand for biology graduates across research, development, and regulatory roles.

What graduation rates should biology students expect across Maryland programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 25.6% at Coppin State to 94.6% at Johns Hopkins. Public universities like University of Maryland College Park achieve 88.6% while Salisbury University reaches 67.4%. Students should weigh these completion rates against program costs, as higher graduation rates often correlate with better career outcomes and lower lifetime educational debt.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.