Best Universities in Maryland for 2026

Maryland enrolls more than 20,000 international students at schools that include one of the world's leading medical research universities and a top public flagship, all within reach of Washington, DC. International tuition ranges from roughly $25,000 a year at regional public campuses to about $64,000 at Johns Hopkins. This guide compares eight real Maryland universities — what each is known for, the programs that draw students from abroad, approximate yearly tuition, selectivity, and international support.

Maryland universities at a glance

Figures are approximate 2025–26 international tuition, excluding housing, fees, and insurance. Confirm current numbers with each admissions office.

University	Type	City	Known for	Intl tuition/yr	Acceptance rate
Johns Hopkins University	Private	Baltimore	Medicine, public health, engineering	~$64,000	~7%
University of Maryland, College Park	Public	College Park	Computer science, business	~$41,000	~45%
University of Maryland, Baltimore County	Public	Baltimore	Sciences, IT	~$30,000	~80%
Towson University	Public	Towson	Business, health, education	~$26,000	~80%
Loyola University Maryland	Private	Baltimore	Business, communication	~$53,000	~85%
Morgan State University	Public	Baltimore	Engineering, architecture	~$25,000	~85%
Salisbury University	Public	Salisbury	Nursing, business	~$22,000	~80%
St. Mary's College of Maryland	Public	St. Mary's City	Liberal arts	~$30,000	~80%

The universities in detail

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is Maryland's most selective university — admitting about 7% of applicants — and a global leader in medicine, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, biomedical engineering, and international studies (SAIS). International undergraduate tuition is near $64,000, but Hopkins is need-blind for international applicants and meets full demonstrated need. The research output is enormous, and ISSS advising supports F-1 students through OPT and beyond.

University of Maryland, College Park

UMD College Park is the public flagship and a powerhouse in computer science, engineering, the Smith School of Business, and cybersecurity — helped by proximity to DC and federal agencies. International tuition is around $41,000, and the roughly 45% admit rate makes it competitive but reachable. The campus is large, diverse, and minutes from Washington's internship market.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

UMBC is a research-intensive public known for the sciences, information technology, and one of the strongest undergraduate research cultures in the country (its Meyerhoff Scholars model is nationally famous). International tuition runs near $30,000, with a generous admit rate around 80%. It's a strong, affordable choice for STEM students near Baltimore.

Loyola University Maryland

Loyola is a Jesuit private in Baltimore with respected business (Sellinger School), communication, and psychology programs. Tuition is about $53,000 with merit scholarships that many international students receive. Small classes and a focus on undergraduate teaching define the experience.

Morgan State University

Morgan State is Maryland's largest historically Black university and a designated national research institution, strong in engineering, architecture, and transportation studies. At roughly $25,000, it's one of the most affordable four-year options, with growing research funding and a supportive campus.

Towson University

Towson, just north of Baltimore, is a large public with practical strengths in business, health professions, education, and communication. International tuition runs near $26,000, with broad admission around 80%. Its size means wide program choice and an active campus, while the Baltimore-DC corridor opens internship access. For students wanting an affordable, well-rounded public near a major metro, it's a sensible pick.

St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's is the state's public honors college, a small liberal-arts institution on the Chesapeake with strong sciences, economics, and international languages. Tuition is around $30,000 with small classes and a residential, seminar-style education rare among public schools. The waterfront campus and sailing program give it a distinctive feel closer to a private college than a state school.

What it actually costs to study in Maryland

Tuition is only part of the picture, and Maryland is pricier than the Midwest. Budget roughly $13,000–$18,000 a year for housing and meals near Baltimore and College Park, where proximity to DC pushes rents up. Mandatory health insurance adds about $2,000–$3,500 a year, with student fees another $1,500–$2,500. Including books, transport, and personal costs, a realistic yearly total runs $45,000–$85,000 depending on the school. The trade-off is location: being minutes from Washington, DC and Baltimore means access to federal agencies, the NIH, and major employers for internships and post-graduation work. F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term.

How to choose the right Maryland university

Start with your field. For medicine, public health, or biomedical engineering, Johns Hopkins leads; for computer science and cybersecurity, UMD College Park and UMBC; for affordable STEM, Morgan State and UMBC; for liberal arts, St. Mary's. Then weigh sticker price against aid: Hopkins's $64,000 list can fall to little or nothing with need-blind aid, while public schools' lower tuition rarely includes large international scholarships. Model your full yearly cost — tuition, housing, and insurance — with the cost of study calculator.

Selectivity is the second filter. Strong applicants should target Hopkins and UMD; UMBC, Loyola, Towson, and St. Mary's are realistic mid-targets; Salisbury and Morgan State are accessible options. Maryland's biggest advantage is location — DC and Baltimore put federal agencies, NIH, and major employers within commuting distance. For visas, work rules, and the wider state picture, read our guide to studying in Maryland.

Application basics for international students

Maryland universities use the Common Application or institutional portals. Core requirements: high school transcripts (evaluated for international credentials), English proof (TOEFL ~80–100 or IELTS 6.5–7.0 depending on the school), and an essay. SAT/ACT is optional at most Maryland schools but supports scholarship review. After admission, submit proof of funds for your I-20, then apply for the F-1 visa. Fall deadlines cluster from November to February, with rolling admission at some publics. See our US application guide for the full process, the Maryland state guide for local detail, and the study in the USA hub for broader options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest good university in Maryland for international students?

Salisbury University (~$22,000) and Morgan State (~$25,000) offer the lowest accredited four-year international tuition, followed by Towson at about $26,000. UMBC (~$30,000) is the best value among research-intensive options.

Which Maryland university is best for medicine and public health?

Johns Hopkins is a global leader in both, with the top-ranked Bloomberg School of Public Health and a renowned medical campus. For undergraduates aiming at health careers, it sets the standard.

Can international students get scholarships in Maryland?

Yes. Johns Hopkins is need-blind and meets full need for internationals; Loyola, Towson, and Salisbury offer merit awards of $5,000–$20,000. UMD and UMBC offer more limited international scholarships, so budget accordingly.

How hard is it to get into Maryland universities?

It ranges from Johns Hopkins at about 7% and UMD around 45% to Salisbury, Towson, UMBC, Morgan State, and St. Mary's at roughly 80–85%. Competitive majors like UMD computer science admit at lower rates.

Do Maryland universities require the SAT or ACT?

Most are test-optional for 2026, though strong scores can still help with competitive programs and merit-scholarship consideration.

Can international students work after graduating in Maryland?

Yes. F-1 graduates get 12 months of OPT, extended to 36 months for STEM degrees — covering most UMD, UMBC, and Johns Hopkins engineering and science programs. Maryland's biggest edge is proximity to DC: the NIH, federal agencies, and the cybersecurity sector around Fort Meade hire heavily.

Which Maryland city is best for student life?

Baltimore offers an affordable big-city scene with history and a strong arts community, while College Park puts you within metro reach of Washington, DC. Smaller towns like Towson and St. Mary's City are quieter and cheaper. Your university choice largely sets your location.