Maryland Higher Education Commission

Maryland is fortunate to have 57 colleges and universities and over 175 private career schools from which to choose. Whatever choice is made, Maryland’s wide variety of colleges and universities has a match for you.

The University System of Maryland, for example, includes 13 distinctive and individual institutions: 11 degree-granting campuses and two research and service components. Maryland's two other excellent four-year institutions that are not part of the University System of Maryland have their own governing boards.  They are Morgan State University and St. Mary's College of Maryland.  The combined resources of these diverse institutions enhance the quality of higher educational programs and services in Maryland. In addition, Maryland students also have the option of attending one of our excellent independent colleges and universities or our outstanding 16 community colleges.

Students also choose from the abundance of Maryland’s two-year public colleges. Ranging from community colleges to various specialty schools, these choices are perfect for those students who are either just beginning their educational journey or for those who are enhancing their skills and knowledge

Collectively, Maryland’s colleges and universities offer every kind of educational experience, whether for the traditional college student who goes directly to college from high school, or for students who have already begun their careers and want to learn new skills. Maryland is proud that nearly one-third of its residents 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is the 4th highest percentage among all states.

Maryland's economic diversity and educational vitality is what makes it one of the best states in the nation in which to live, learn, work and raise a family.