Top 10 Private Colleges and Universities in Maryland

Direct Answer

The Best Overall private university in Maryland is Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, a world-renowned research institution whose top-10 national ranking, ~94% graduation rate, and unmatched strength in medicine, public health, and engineering put it in a class of its own.

The Best Value pick is McDaniel College in Westminster, whose moderate tuition with generous merit and need-based aid, strong graduation outcomes, and close faculty mentoring deliver the best outcomes-per-dollar among Maryland privates. This list is built for families and students weighing private and independent options across Maryland, with a focus on academics, post-grad outcomes, and value.

Every pick uses real, publicly reported data on enrollment, tuition, and graduation rates.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each institution against the priorities families tell admissions offices and survey firms they actually care about, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, College Board, and NCES. The weighting:

• Academic performance and reputation — 25%
• Graduation and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost (net price, aid) — 15%
• Faculty and resources — 15%
• Campus environment and safety — 15%
• Programs, research, and fit — 10%

A college with a famous name but weak aid, or low cost but thin outcomes, drops in the ranking. The winners balance reputation, outcomes, and net value.

1. Johns Hopkins University 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Private (research university) | Tuition: ~$63,000/yr (approximate, before aid) | Best for: Students seeking elite research and pre-professional programs

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore enrolls about 30,000 students across all divisions, with an undergraduate body near 6,000, and is consistently ranked among the top 10–15 national universities by U.S. News. Hopkins posts a six-year graduation rate near 94% and is the nation's leader in research spending, with world-renowned schools of Medicine, Public Health (Bloomberg), Engineering (Whiting), and International Studies (SAIS).

Its student-faculty ratio near 6:1 supports close undergraduate research, and matriculation into top medical, law, and PhD programs is exceptional. Generous need-based aid — including no-loan policies for many families — substantially lowers net cost.

Pros:

• Top-10–15 national ranking with ~94% graduation rate
• Nation's leader in research funding
• Elite medicine, public health, and engineering schools
• Generous need-based aid lowers net cost sharply

Cons:

• High sticker tuition before aid
• Intense, pre-professional academic culture

Verdict: Johns Hopkins wins decisively — a world-class research university with outcomes and aid that lead the state.

2. Loyola University Maryland

Type: Private (Jesuit, comprehensive) | Tuition: ~$53,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students wanting a values-centered Jesuit education with strong business

Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore enrolls about 5,000 students and is a leading Jesuit institution known for its Sellinger School of Business, strong liberal arts, and a service-centered mission. Loyola posts a six-year graduation rate near 83% and offers a student-faculty ratio near 11:1 with close mentoring.

Its programs in business, communications, and the sciences are well regarded, and its emphasis on internships and study abroad supports strong post-grad outcomes. Generous merit and need-based aid lower the net price meaningfully.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 83%
• AACSB-accredited Sellinger School of Business
• Jesuit service mission and close mentoring
• Strong study-abroad and internship programs

Cons:

• High sticker tuition before aid
• Less research intensity than the flagships

Verdict: A top Jesuit choice — values-centered education with standout business and strong outcomes.

3. McDaniel College

Type: Private (liberal-arts college) | Tuition: ~$50,000/yr sticker, low net after aid | Best for: Students seeking strong outcomes with generous aid 💎 BEST VALUE

McDaniel College in Westminster enrolls about 3,000 students and is a liberal-arts college known for generous merit and need-based aid that brings the net price well below sticker, making it the best outcomes-per-dollar private in the state. McDaniel posts a six-year graduation rate near 73% and offers a student-faculty ratio near 12:1 with close faculty contact.

Its programs in education, the sciences, and exercise physiology are well regarded, and its two-credit "January Term" and study-abroad campus in Budapest add distinctive value. Most students receive substantial scholarship support.

Pros:

• Generous aid brings net price well below sticker
• Graduation rate near 73% with close mentoring
• Low ~12:1 student-faculty ratio
• Distinctive January Term and Budapest study-abroad

Cons:

• Smaller endowment than the elite privates
• Less name recognition outside the region

Verdict: The value champion — strong liberal-arts outcomes at a net price that beats nearly every Maryland private.

4. Goucher College

Type: Private (liberal-arts college) | Tuition: ~$50,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students wanting a progressive liberal-arts college with required study abroad

Goucher College in Towson enrolls about 1,000 undergraduates and is a progressive liberal-arts college notable for requiring every student to study abroad. Goucher posts a six-year graduation rate near 67% and offers an intimate student-faculty ratio near 9:1.

Its programs in the arts, environmental studies, and international relations are strong, and its emphasis on experiential and interdisciplinary learning draws students seeking a non-traditional path. Merit and need-based aid lower net cost.

Pros:

• Required study abroad for all students
• Intimate ~9:1 student-faculty ratio
• Strong arts and international-relations programs
• Experiential, interdisciplinary curriculum

Cons:

• Smaller enrollment limits major breadth
• Graduation rate trails the top privates

Verdict: A distinctive progressive college — ideal for globally minded students who want small classes and required study abroad.

5. Washington College

Type: Private (liberal-arts college) | Tuition: ~$50,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students seeking a historic Eastern Shore liberal-arts college

Washington College in Chestertown on the Eastern Shore enrolls about 1,100 students and is one of the oldest colleges in the country, chartered in 1782. It posts a six-year graduation rate near 70% and offers a student-faculty ratio near 10:1. Washington is known for its creative writing (Sophie Kerr Prize, the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation), environmental science, and history programs, and its waterfront campus supports strong Chesapeake Bay research.

Merit and need-based aid lower net cost.

Pros:

• Home of the nation's largest undergraduate literary prize
• Strong environmental science and Chesapeake research
• Low ~10:1 student-faculty ratio
• Historic, intimate waterfront campus

Cons:

• Remote Eastern Shore location
• Smaller program selection than larger universities

Verdict: A historic liberal-arts gem — outstanding for writers, historians, and environmental-science students.

6. Mount St. Mary's University

Type: Private (Catholic university) | Tuition: ~$47,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students wanting a Catholic university with strong business and a close community

Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg enrolls about 2,200 students and is the second-oldest Catholic university in the country. It posts a six-year graduation rate near 70% and offers a student-faculty ratio near 13:1.

The Mount is known for its business, education, and theology programs, and its mountain campus supports a close-knit, values-centered community. Its Division I athletics add to campus life, and generous aid lowers net cost for most students.

Pros:

• Graduation rate near 70%
• Strong business and education programs
• Close-knit, values-centered Catholic community
• Division I athletics and active campus life

Cons:

• Remote Emmitsburg location
• Smaller endowment than the elite privates

Verdict: A welcoming Catholic university — strong for business-minded students who want community and values.

7. Stevenson University

Type: Private (career-focused university) | Tuition: ~$40,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students wanting career-aligned programs in health and business

Stevenson University near Owings Mills enrolls about 3,000 students and emphasizes career-aligned, pre-professional programs. Stevenson is known for nursing, business, forensic science, and film/video, with a student-faculty ratio near 13:1 and strong internship and career-services support.

Its tuition near $40,000 is more moderate than the elite privates, and its outcomes-focused model draws students who want a clear path from major to career. Merit and need-based aid lower net cost.

Pros:

• Strong career-aligned programs in health and business
• Notable nursing, forensic science, and film programs
• Robust internship and career-services support
• More moderate tuition near $40,000

Cons:

• Less research and liberal-arts breadth
• Younger institution with a smaller alumni network

Verdict: A career-focused standout — best for students who want a direct pipeline from major to profession.

8. Notre Dame of Maryland University

Type: Private (Catholic, historically women's) | Tuition: ~$40,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students seeking strong nursing and pharmacy in a supportive setting

Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore enrolls about 2,000 students and is historically a women's college, now offering coed and graduate programs. It is known for its School of Pharmacy (PharmD), nursing, and education programs, with a student-faculty ratio near 11:1 and close mentoring.

Notre Dame posts solid graduation outcomes in its professional programs and offers tuition near $40,000 with generous aid. Its Baltimore location supports clinical and student-teaching placements.

Pros:

• Strong PharmD, nursing, and education programs
• Close ~11:1 student-faculty ratio with mentoring
• Generous aid lowers net cost
• Baltimore clinical and teaching placements

Cons:

• Smaller enrollment and program breadth
• Less name recognition outside the region

Verdict: A supportive professional-program college — excellent for pharmacy, nursing, and education students.

9. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

Type: Private (specialized art and design college) | Tuition: ~$53,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Students pursuing fine arts, design, or illustration

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore enrolls about 3,400 students and is one of the oldest and most respected art and design colleges in the country. MICA offers nationally ranked programs in illustration, graphic design, fine art, and animation, with a student-faculty ratio near 8:1 and a strong record of placing graduates in design, film, and gallery careers.

Its Baltimore arts-district location and extensive studio facilities support a vibrant creative community. Merit scholarships are common for talented applicants.

Pros:

• Nationally ranked art and design programs
• Strong placement in design and creative careers
• Low ~8:1 student-faculty ratio and studio access
• Vibrant Baltimore arts-district community

Cons:

• Narrow, arts-only program focus
• High tuition before merit aid

Verdict: The specialized arts leader — the destination for serious art, design, and illustration students.

10. Hood College

Type: Private (liberal-arts college) | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr (approximate) | Best for: Frederick-area students wanting a small liberal-arts college with strong sciences

Hood College in Frederick enrolls about 2,000 students and is a liberal-arts college known for its biology, environmental science, and education programs. Hood posts a six-year graduation rate near 68% and offers a student-faculty ratio near 12:1 with close faculty contact.

Its proximity to Fort Detrick and Frederick's biotech corridor supports strong internship and research placements in the life sciences. Merit and need-based aid lower net cost, and the small campus fosters a supportive community.

Pros:

• Strong biology and environmental science programs
• Internship access to Frederick's biotech corridor
• Close ~12:1 student-faculty ratio
• Supportive small-college community

Cons:

• Smaller endowment and program breadth
• Graduation rate trails the top privates

Verdict: A science-strong small college — excellent for life-science students in the Frederick biotech corridor.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Private College

• Net price, not sticker — Private tuition often exceeds $50,000, but generous aid at schools like McDaniel and Johns Hopkins can cut net cost dramatically; always compare net-price calculators.
• Graduation and outcomes — A six-year graduation rate above 70% and strong graduate-school or employment placement signal real value over a famous name.
• Student-faculty ratio and mentoring — Ratios near 6:1–12:1 at Maryland privates mean close advising that drives results, a key advantage over large publics.
• Program fit — MICA for art, Notre Dame and Stevenson for health, Hood for life sciences, and Johns Hopkins for research; match the school to the intended field.
• Mission and culture — Jesuit (Loyola), Catholic (Mount St. Mary's, Notre Dame), progressive (Goucher), and specialized (MICA) cultures shape daily experience; fit matters.
• Distinctive features — Required study abroad (Goucher), a major literary prize (Washington), or a biotech-corridor location (Hood) can serve a student better than a higher ranking.

What matters less than marketing implies: a college's sticker tuition, its overall ranking number, or its newest building. Net price, advising quality, and program fit affect a student's outcome far more than a brand name.

FAQ

Which private university is the best overall in Maryland? Johns Hopkins University earns the top spot as a top-10–15 national university with a graduation rate near 94%, the nation's leading research funding, and elite medicine, public health, and engineering programs.

What is the best value private college in Maryland? McDaniel College is our best value — its generous merit and need-based aid bring the net price well below sticker, paired with a 73% graduation rate and close ~12:1 faculty mentoring.

Which Maryland private college is best for the arts? The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore is the clear leader, with nationally ranked illustration, design, fine art, and animation programs and strong creative-career placement.

How much does private college cost in Maryland? Sticker tuition typically runs $40,000–$63,000, with the elite research universities at the top; however, generous aid at most schools — including no-loan policies at Johns Hopkins for many families — can lower net cost substantially.

Which Maryland private colleges are best for health professions? Notre Dame of Maryland (PharmD and nursing), Stevenson (nursing and forensic science), and Loyola (sciences) offer strong health-and-science pathways, while Johns Hopkins leads in pre-medicine and public health.

Are small liberal-arts colleges worth it in Maryland? Yes for many students — colleges like McDaniel, Goucher, Washington, and Hood offer low student-faculty ratios, close mentoring, and distinctive programs, often at a net price competitive with public universities after aid.

Bottom Line

For Maryland families weighing private options, Johns Hopkins University is our Best Overall — its top-10–15 ranking, 94% graduation rate, world-leading research, and generous aid set the standard. McDaniel College is our Best Value, delivering strong liberal-arts outcomes at a net price that beats nearly every private in the state.

If your priority is a Jesuit education, a specialized art or health program, required study abroad, or a small science-strong college, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Loyola, MICA, Goucher, or Hood instead. Choose on net price, outcomes, and program fit — not sticker tuition or a ranking number alone — and your student will thrive.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best Colleges, Maryland private universities
• Niche — Best Private Colleges in Maryland
• Maryland Higher Education Commission
• NCES — College Navigator
• College Board — BigFuture college search
• Johns Hopkins University — admissions and aid
• Loyola University Maryland
• McDaniel College
• Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
• The Washington Post — higher-education coverage

*Private colleges in Maryland review — best private colleges Maryland, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*