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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Maryland
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Maryland? Our ranking highlights 78 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College evaluated 24 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Maryland
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is Baltimore City Community College, our #1 best-value Trade school in Maryland. Located in Baltimore, MD, Baltimore City Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Baltimore City Community College Trade students take on a median of $11,202 in debt. Baltimore City Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,025 a decade after entry. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Baltimore City Community College profile
You'll get strong value at Chesapeake College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Wye Mills, MD, Chesapeake College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Chesapeake College Trade students take on a median of $8,380 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Chesapeake College report
Out of the 24 schools in Maryland in this year's value ranking, Prince Georges Community College landed the #3 spot. Located in Largo, MD, Prince Georges Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,548. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt. See the full Prince Georges Community College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland University College earned it the #4 place in Maryland. Located in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Median earnings reach $65,287 ten years out. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on University Of Maryland University College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harford Community College earned it the #5 place in Maryland. Located in Bel Air, MD, Harford Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Harford Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,624 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,608 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Harford Community College report
Hagerstown Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Hagerstown Community College is a public school based in Hagerstown, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Hagerstown Community College Trade students take on a median of $15,126 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,615. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt. Read the full report on Hagerstown Community College
Carroll Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Westminster, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,349. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt. See the full Carroll Community College profile
Howard Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Maryland this year. Based in Columbia, MD, Howard Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $18,115. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,020 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Howard Community College
Towson University landed the #9 spot for value in Maryland this year. Set in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical Trade student debt is $21,241. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,390. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Towson University profile
Wor Wic Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Salisbury, MD, Wor Wic Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,748 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt. More on Wor Wic Community College
The Community College Of Baltimore County offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $18,038. Median earnings reach $43,729 ten years out. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full The Community College Of Baltimore County report
College Of Southern Maryland placed #12 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. This public school is set in La Plata, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Maryland Trade students take on a median of $9,728 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,435 ten years out. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full College Of Southern Maryland profile
Salisbury University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Salisbury University Trade students take on a median of $23,545 in debt. Salisbury University alumni report median earnings of $61,515 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants. Read more about Salisbury University
Frederick Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Frederick, MD, Frederick Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Frederick Community College Trade students take on a median of $10,778 in debt. Frederick Community College alumni report median earnings of $46,449 a decade after entry. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Frederick Community College
Frostburg State University placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Set in Frostburg, MD, Frostburg State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. The median Trade program debt is $25,340. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Frostburg State University report
Coppin State University placed #16 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Based in Baltimore, MD, Coppin State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Typical Trade student debt is $33,355. Median earnings reach $46,490 ten years out. Set against $33,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coppin State University has an acceptance rate of 46%. Read the full report on Coppin State University
Anne Arundel Community College placed #17 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Located in Arnold, MD, Anne Arundel Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical Trade student debt is $13,947. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Anne Arundel Community College
Allegany College Of Maryland ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Cumberland, MD, Allegany College Of Maryland is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Allegany College Of Maryland Trade students take on a median of $18,823 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,476. That is a strong return on a $18,823 median debt. Read more about Allegany College Of Maryland
Cecil College landed the #19 spot for value in Maryland this year. This public school is set in North East, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $5,640, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out. Get the full Cecil College report
Morgan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Morgan State University Trade students take on a median of $30,309 in debt. Morgan State University alumni report median earnings of $50,698 a decade after entry. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read the full report on Morgan State University
Montgomery College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Rockville, MD, Montgomery College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical Trade student debt is $11,230. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,159 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt. See the full Montgomery College profile
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. University Of Maryland Baltimore County Trade students take on a median of $21,331 in debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County alumni report median earnings of $69,960 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Stevenson University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,079. Set against $27,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants. Read the full report on Stevenson University
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,344. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. More on College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Goucher College
Goucher College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on Goucher College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Maryland
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Mcdaniel College
Mcdaniel College placed #26 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read the full report on Mcdaniel College
Aspen Beauty Academy Of Laurel offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on Aspen Beauty Academy Of Laurel
North American Trade Schools landed the #28 spot for value in Maryland this year. More on North American Trade Schools
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about University Of Maryland Eastern Shore
Loyola University Baltimore offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on Loyola University Baltimore
Delmarva Beauty Academy came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Delmarva Beauty Academy profile
Bowie State University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Bowie State University
Empire Beauty School Glen Burnie placed #33 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read more about Empire Beauty School Glen Burnie
Washington College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Washington College
Holistic Massage Training Institute placed #35 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read more about Holistic Massage Training Institute
Fortis Institute Towson ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Fortis Institute Towson
Omega Studios School Of Applied Recording Arts And Sciences landed the #37 spot for value in Maryland this year. More on Omega Studios School Of Applied Recording Arts And Sciences
Capitol College
Capitol College landed the #38 spot for value in Maryland this year. Read the full report on Capitol College
University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Maryland Baltimore profile
Aveda Institute Maryland landed the #40 spot for value in Maryland this year. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Maryland
Montgomery Beauty School Baltimore Beauty Barber School placed #41 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. More on Montgomery Beauty School Baltimore Beauty Barber School
University System Of Maryland Research Centers ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on University System Of Maryland Research Centers
Fortis College Landover placed #43 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read more about Fortis College Landover
All State Career Baltimore came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on All State Career Baltimore
Lincoln College Of Technology Columbia placed #45 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read the full report on Lincoln College Of Technology Columbia
Hood College
Hood College placed #46 among the best-value Trade schools in Maryland. Read more about Hood College
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Institute Of Health Sciences came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Institute Of Health Sciences profile
Johns Hopkins University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Sans Technology Institute came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Sans Technology Institute
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 24 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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