Maryland Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Maryland College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Maryland institutions.
Top Maryland Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland, College Park | Public 4-yr | $11,505 | $40,306 | 30,900 |
| UMBC (Baltimore County) | Public 4-yr | $12,890 | $29,618 | 11,000 |
| Towson University | Public 4-yr | $11,324 | $26,598 | 19,500 |
| Salisbury University | Public 4-yr | $11,378 | $23,052 | 7,400 |
| Morgan State University | Public 4-yr | $8,602 | $18,302 | 7,500 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | Public 4-yr | $8,718 | $18,618 | 2,100 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Private | $63,340 | $63,340 | 6,000 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Private | $56,130 | $56,130 | 3,900 |
| Montgomery College | Community | $4,700 | $9,444 | 22,000 |
Maryland State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).
Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant
For MD residents with family income up to 130% of federal poverty level. Covers up to full tuition at MD public schools.
Educational Assistance Grant
Need-based grant for MD residents with moderate family income at MD institutions.
Maryland Community College Promise
Tuition-free community college for eligible MD residents with family income up to $150,000.
Student Loan Options for Maryland Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Maryland have a state student loan program?
No. Maryland does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Maryland residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Maryland state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Maryland students and families.
How much does college cost in Maryland?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Maryland public four-year universities is about $11,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $27,600 on campus for Maryland residents and $41,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Maryland?
Maryland borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $43,900. Total outstanding federal student debt for Maryland residents is approximately $37.3 billion.
Does Maryland offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. MHEC administers the Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access Grant (up to $22,800 per year), the Educational Assistance Grant (up to $3,000), MD Community College Promise, and the Cade loan assistance for workforce shortages.
Does Maryland have a state student loan program?
No. Maryland does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Maryland residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Maryland colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
MD community colleges average $4,700 per year and are tuition-free for eligible families through the MD CC Promise. Morgan State has the lowest four-year in-state tuition at $8,602, followed by UMD Eastern Shore. Johns Hopkins is the highest at $63,340.
What scholarships are available for Maryland residents?
Key awards include the Guaranteed Access Grant, Educational Assistance Grant, MD CC Promise, Cade, and SmartBuy homebuyer loan payoff. Johns Hopkins and UMD offer substantial institutional aid.
Related Maryland Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Maryland public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- MHEC program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller