Best Community Colleges in Maryland

The higher education experts at BestColleges.com have reviewed top community colleges in Maryland. Start planning your future at BestColleges.com.
Danika Miller
By
Edited by
Updated October 31, 2024
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Community colleges in Maryland offer several benefits to prospective students. These include cost savings, a large variety of options, and individualized attention from instructors. In-county, out-of-county, and out-of-state learners pay different fees at the state’s community colleges.

With 16 community colleges serving 23 counties, Maryland students can look closely at different options when scouting the right fit. Maryland’s Health Manpower Shortage Program offers discounted tuition for students pursuing certain high-need careers.

Community college programs often allow students to take classes online or in person during days, nights, and weekends.

Best Accredited Community Colleges in Maryland

#1

Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$5,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,104

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

2,891

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,104

Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,496

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,104

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

48%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

2,891

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Frederick Community College

Frederick, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$6,768

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,923

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

46%

Students Enrolled

5,811

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,768

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,923

Frederick Community College

Frederick, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,768

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,923

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

46%

Students Enrolled

5,811

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$5,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

100%

Acceptance Rate

62%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

4,591

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,800

Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,800

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

62%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

4,591

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$5,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,560

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

3,504

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,560

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,760

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,560

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

3,504

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Montgomery College

Rockville, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$8,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,220

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

32%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

17,137

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,220

Montgomery College

Rockville, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,220

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

32%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

17,137

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Garrett College

McHenry, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$8,792

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

579

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,792

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,920

Garrett College

McHenry, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,792

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,920

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

51%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

55%

Students Enrolled

579

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$7,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,240

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

4,868

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,240

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,240

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

78%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

66%

Students Enrolled

4,868

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$5,376

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,536

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

52%

Students Enrolled

1,794

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,376

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,536

Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,376

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,536

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

71%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

52%

Students Enrolled

1,794

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#9

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$7,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,450

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

100%

Acceptance Rate

67%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

10,192

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,450

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,450

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

67%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

10,192

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$2,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,720

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

39%

Students Enrolled

3,538

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,720

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,720

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

39%

Students Enrolled

3,538

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Why Study in Maryland?

Educational Opportunities

With hundreds of degrees offered on a variety of schedules, students at community colleges in Maryland can benefit from a great deal of flexibility in their education. All campuses offer daycare for busy parents. Students can receive personal attention from their instructors since most classes enroll fewer than 30 students.

Economy

Technology, trade, and transportation fit Maryland perfectly. Maryland ranked 15th in the nation in terms of gross domestic product in 2020. CNBC named Maryland the most improved state for business in the summer of 2021. Maryland also ranks fourth out of all 50 states in terms of internet access and speed. The state looks to expand access even more with the Digital Connectivity Act of 2021.

Information technology, telecommunications, and aerospace/defense are Maryland’s top industries. Community college graduates can pursue several excellent job opportunities with an associate degree or certificate.

Cost of Living

Maryland ranks above the national average when it comes to cost of living. The average home price reached $380,000, as of November 2021. Rental rates are in the top 10 nationwide. The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust helps offset some costs and make affordable housing more available statewide.

Cultural and Community Offerings

Maryland is a central location along the Eastern Seaboard, and the District of Columbia is just a stone’s throw away. Sightseeing and community cultural offerings are packed into this small state. Visitors can find Northern and Southern influences throughout communities.

You can also check out Maryland’s seashore with a national park island and wildlife management area.

Climate

In the fall and spring, Mayland’s weather remains fairly temperate. Summers bring thunderstorms, while winters bring snowstorms. About once a year, Maryland experiences the remnants of a hurricane, although a hurricane has never hit the state directly.

Top Degree Programs in Maryland

Featured Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Maryland Employment Outlook

Healthcare is projected to remain a central industry in Maryland for years to come. As of 2018, jobs in healthcare were among the fastest-growing occupations in the state. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated that growth.

Food industry occupations are also in demand throughout Maryland.

5 Maryland Jobs in Demand

Occupational Therapy Assistants

These professionals help patients manage their day-to-day lives as they recover from illnesses and injuries. They need a relevant associate degree and must get a license from the Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

  • U.S. Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $60,950
  • Job Growth Projection (2018-2028):53%

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

These professionals take medical images of patients using high-tech equipment. These tests then go to doctors who help with diagnosis. There are various specific imaging jobs available.

  • U.S. Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $70,380
  • Job Growth Projection (2018-2028): 29%

MRI Technologists

These technologists prepare patients for MRI tests. The majority of professionals in this field hold an associate degree. MRI technologists do not need a license in Maryland to practice.

  • U.S. Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $63,170
  • Job Growth Projection (2018-2028): 26%

Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aide

These aides help patients who have an injury, disability, or illness carry out day-to-day tasks. Duties can include changing bandages, bathing, dressing, and giving medications. Around 3.5 million people work in this field nationwide.

  • U.S. Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $27,080
  • Job Growth Projection (2018-2028):44%

Food Preparation and Serving Workers

In Maryland, there are 12-week programs for students who want to quickly enter the food service and culinary industries. Workers must recertify every three years. With a little more education, students can earn an associate degree in restaurant management, which offers the potential to nearly double their salaries.

  • U.S. Median Annual Salary (May 2020): $26,070
  • Job Growth Projection (2018-2028): 22%

Popular Career Paths in Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions About Community Colleges in Maryland

Yes. Community colleges offer themost affordable postsecondary education available. Certificate and associate programs can allow you to start your career right away. You can also transfer your credits to many four-year colleges to get a head start on a bachelor’s degree.

Maryland community colleges also offer the WorkSmart program, through which employers can team up to train students for particular jobs.

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