Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Maryland

Maryland's Liberal Arts programs reveal stark financial contrasts, with Coppin State University charging just $6,007 net annually while Washington College reaches $29,095. The earnings spread proves equally telling, from St. John's College graduates earning $21,052 to Notre Dame of Maryland University alumni commanding $41,725. Federal agencies and defense contractors around Washington D.C. increasingly value liberal arts graduates for their analytical writing and critical thinking skills, particularly in intelligence analysis and policy research. Public institutions dominate the affordable end, with six of the seven cheapest options being state schools.

Programs

$6,007 – $29,095

Net Price Range

$33,273

Avg. Program Earnings

58.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland	$6,007	$7,001	25.6%	45.0%
2	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$14,514	$7,992	29.6%
3	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015	$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
4	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026	$25,200	40.0%	51.4%
5	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
6	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
7	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
8	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$18,161	$63,340	94.6%	7.3%
9	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328	$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
10	Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, Maryland	$24,536	$41,910	51.9%	69.6%
11	Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland	$24,987	$47,240	58.0%	79.6%
12	St. John's College Annapolis, Maryland	$27,934	$39,126	67.4%	49.9%
13	Washington College Chestertown, Maryland	$29,095	$54,356	74.1%	74.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive price difference between Maryland's cheapest and most expensive liberal arts programs?

The gap reaches $23,088 between Coppin State's $6,007 net cost and Washington College's $29,095. Public universities benefit from state funding, keeping costs lower, while private institutions like Washington College charge full tuition rates that can exceed $54,000 annually.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Maryland?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates. Johns Hopkins achieves 94.6% graduation at $18,161 net cost, while Coppin State graduates only 25.6% of students despite its $6,007 affordability.

Is Johns Hopkins the only elite option for liberal arts students on a budget?

Johns Hopkins offers strong value at $18,161 net cost with a 94.6% graduation rate and 7.25% acceptance rate. However, University of Maryland-College Park provides strong academics at $15,590 with an 88.6% graduation rate and more accessible 44.61% acceptance.

Where do liberal arts graduates find the best earning potential after Maryland programs?

Notre Dame of Maryland University graduates earn the highest at $41,725 annually, nearly double St. John's College alumni at $21,052. Washington College graduates also perform well at $40,188, suggesting private institutions may offer stronger alumni networks.

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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.