Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Maryland

Coppin State University delivers Maryland's most affordable teacher education program at just $6,007 net cost, while University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $47,478 annually despite charging $15,590. This $11,614 earnings premium makes UMD's program particularly compelling for future educators. Maryland's teacher education programs benefit from proximity to Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest districts, plus federal education agencies in nearby Washington D.C. The state's 15 programs show dramatic cost variation, with private institutions like Loyola University Maryland charging $29,633 compared to public options under $20,000. Graduation rates span from 25.60% at Coppin State to 88.60% at UMD-College Park, reflecting different student populations and institutional resources. Most programs maintain high acceptance rates above 75%, making teacher education accessible across Maryland's varied educational market.

Programs

$6,007 – $29,633

Net Price Range

$42,547

Avg. Program Earnings

58.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland	$6,007	$35,864	$7,001	25.6%	45.0%
2	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$47,478	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
3	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$44,567	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
4	Towson University Towson, Maryland	$16,791	$44,547	$11,306	67.6%	78.6%
5	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$37,363	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
6	Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland	$19,335	$43,696	$8,999	38.1%	86.5%
7	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland	$24,987	$42,682	$47,240	58.0%	79.6%
8	Stevenson University Owings Mills, Maryland	$26,806	$44,040	$39,708	66.4%	84.1%
9	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, Maryland	$29,633	$42,682	$55,480	80.5%	83.5%
10	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026		$25,200	40.0%	51.4%
11	Goucher College Baltimore, Maryland	$23,774		$51,250	60.0%	80.2%
12	Hood College Frederick, Maryland	$23,707		$45,870	55.3%	77.9%
13	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328		$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
14	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015		$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
15	McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland	$20,923		$49,647	63.8%	82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $41,471 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $47,478 while Coppin State graduates earn $35,864, reflecting different alumni networks and career paths. UMD's location near federal education agencies and affluent Montgomery County schools creates access to higher-paying positions. Coppin State primarily serves Baltimore City schools, which typically offer lower starting salaries. The 88.60% graduation rate at UMD versus 25.60% at Coppin also suggests different levels of academic preparation and support.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Maryland?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation outcomes, with UMD-College Park leading at 88.60% graduation rate and $15,590 net cost. Loyola University Maryland achieves 80.50% graduation at $29,633, while budget-friendly Coppin State struggles with just 25.60% completion. Salisbury University breaks this pattern, delivering 67.40% graduation rates at only $16,456 net cost. These disparities often reflect student demographics, financial aid availability, and institutional support services.

Does attending a private institution justify the higher costs for teacher education?

Private programs charge significantly more, with Loyola at $29,633 versus public options like Frostburg State at $15,323, yet earnings remain comparable at $42,682 versus $37,363. Mount St. Mary's costs $24,987 but graduates earn similar amounts to public university alumni. Stevenson University charges $26,806 and achieves strong 66.40% graduation rates, suggesting value beyond just cost. The modest earnings premiums rarely offset the substantial tuition differences for most teacher candidates.

Where do Maryland teacher education graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Montgomery County Public Schools, one of America's largest districts, actively recruits from Maryland programs and offers competitive salaries near $50,000 starting. Prince George's County and Baltimore County provide additional high-volume hiring opportunities. Federal education positions with the Department of Education and NIH educational outreach programs offer alternative career paths. The proximity to Washington D.C. creates unique opportunities in educational policy, curriculum development, and federal training programs that many other states lack.

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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.