The Best Online Colleges in Maryland

The University of Baltimore, established in 1925, has over 6,000 students in attendance and contains four academic colleges. During the 1970s, the university acquired the Mount Vernon School of Law, Eastern College and the Baltimore College of Commerce. The university gained full accreditation in 1971. The state purchased the school in 1975. Until 2006, the university only offered upper–division classes and did not award undergraduate degrees.

The University of Baltimore offers several master’s degrees online. Programs of study include business administration and public administration.

Students have access to online resources including technical support over the phone, online career management tools, an online job board, a database containing information on industries and occupations and an online library with 24/7 librarian live chat.

Johns Hopkins, one of the most prestigious online colleges in Maryland, offers an assortment of online degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The school has programs in business, public health, international studies, medicine, and education. Unique online programs include global health planning and management, government analytics, molecular microbiology, regulatory science, and space systems engineering.

Johns Hopkins is well known for its medical programs, many of which the school offers entirely online, such as nursing education and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Most programs are completed entirely online, while others use a hybrid format, which mixes campus and distance education courses. Online classes frequently mix synchronous and asynchronous content, with live virtual classroom sessions and independent work that students complete on their own schedules.

Capitol, located in Laurel, is one of the top online schools in MD for technical and IT education. The college mainly offers graduate degrees online, with nine programs to choose from, including business administration, computer science, cyber analytics, and electrical engineering. Several of the school's doctoral programs use a hybrid format that includes primarily online courses, with options including business analytics and decision sciences, cybersecurity, technology, and unmanned systems applications.

While Capitol offers no fully online bachelor's programs, undergraduates can select from several programs that feature online components, such as business administration and information security. These degrees enable students to complete the final two years of the curriculum completely online, with blended course options available for the first two years. The school offers online courses in either an eight-week accelerated format or a slower-paced 16-week format.

Founded in 1807, UMB is one of the top online colleges in Maryland for professional education. UMB's School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy offer several fully online programs at the graduate level, including regulatory science, health services leadership and management, nursing informatics, and health science. For undergraduate nursing students, the school also offers an RN-to-BSN and an RN-to-MSN pathway.

While all these programs use a primarily online format, nursing and pharmacy students must visit campus for some clinical learning simulations, which helps build practical experience. UMB maintains clinical facilities at its main Baltimore campus and at the Universities in Shady Grove, making it easier for students to choose a location near their home. Courses typically use a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous delivery, with some live class meetings required.

FSU, based in the city of Frostburg, began its distance education program in 2003 with just a few online courses, eventually growing into one of the top online colleges in Maryland. Online programs include a bachelor's in nursing and master's programs in business administration, recreation and parks management, and nursing. Students can also pursue blended master's programs in computer science and special education, which feature primarily online coursework, but include some campus sessions.

FSU offers the Summer Online Freshman Initiative (SOFI), a unique program that allows newly admitted students to complete introductory credits online before beginning full-time courses in the fall. SOFI enables new students to complete their degree faster and gradually transition into higher education.

Based in Baltimore, NDMU is a private Catholic college that ranks among the top Christian online schools in Maryland. This school offers seven online degrees, which includes undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Undergraduates can pursue degrees in business, liberal arts, and nursing, while graduate options include contemporary communication, gifted and talented education, and analytics.

NDMU also offers a doctorate in higher education leadership for changing populations, an innovative degree that focuses on education policy and demographic analysis. All programs use a fully online format, with no campus visits or residency sessions required. NDMU provides a variety of support services for online learners, including personal success coaches, who work with students to identify academic goals and strategies to achieve them. The school also provides technical support, tutoring services, access to a strong alumni network, and resources for online learning success.

WAU, a private liberal arts college in Takoma Park, is one of the top Christian online colleges in Maryland. The school offers two fully online master's programs: a master of business administration and a master of arts in public administration. Both programs feature a primarily asynchronous format that requires only a few scheduled class sessions, allowing students to complete weekly assignments on their own schedule.

The MBA program builds broad skills in the major areas of business, including accounting, management communication, corporate finance, and ethical leadership. While all courses occur online, WAU's proximity to the District of Columbia leads to an assortment of internship opportunities and other experiential learning activities for business students. The public administration program trains students in public advocacy and public policy, preparing graduates to work with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. All degree candidates perform a professional practicum experience as part of the curriculum.

Located about 30 miles northwest of Baltimore in Westminster, McDaniel ranks among the top online colleges in Maryland for graduate students. The school offers four online master's programs, which includes curriculum and instruction, gerontology, school librarianship, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

The curriculum and instruction degree prepares graduates to serve as educators in schools and colleges or in staff development positions with businesses and other organizations. The school librarianship degree trains students to become information specialists and instructional leaders, leading to library media specialist certification through the Maryland State Department of Education. The TESOL program trains candidates in language education and cross-cultural communication, meeting standards set by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The interdisciplinary gerontology degree explores the aging process and strategies for improving quality of life for aging populations.

Capitol is a private institution located in Laurel, Maryland. Founded in 1927, today the school boasts 1,000 students. The university provides a variety of online courses for undergraduate students pursuing bachelor's degrees in:

• Business administration
• Cyber and information security
• Management of cyber and information technology

Undergraduate students at Capitol pursuing these degrees may complete their last two years online with no additional on-campus obligations. Students who pursue a bachelor's degree at this affordable online college in Maryland need 120 credits to graduate.

Incoming pupils need a 2.2 GPA or higher. Additionally, applicants need at least an 800 on the SAT or 17 on the ACT. Their official transcripts should reflect least three years of math, including Algebra II and geometry, and two years of science and social science.

All hybrid learners in these three majors pay the same tuition fees regardless of their location or residency. Military personnel receive a tuition discount. Scholars can also take advantage of various career services offered through Capitol, including training in resume writing, social media management, interviewing skills, salary negotiation, and career exploration. Hybrid students can also gain practical experience in the school's state-of-the-art cyberlab, digital forensic lab, fusion lab, and computer science lab.

Capitol also helps students and alumni locate cooperative learning experiences.

Located in Frederick, Maryland, FCC features more than 70 academic programs and serves approximately 6,200 students. In addition to associate degrees, the community college offers professional development classes, personal enrichment courses, and workforce training opportunities. FCC delivers remote courses approved by the Quality Matters instruction company to ensure its online courses meet the same quality as on-campus classes.

The school offers flexible online courses for a variety of majors. Distance students can also pursue three associate degrees in a hybrid format:

• Business administration
• Psychology
• Sociology

Associate degrees at this affordable online college in Maryland require 60 credits for graduation. Learners complete degree requirements in two years or less.

FCC follows an open admissions policy. Interested students must submit an online application with their ACT or SAT scores, financial aid information, and official transcripts. Incoming students must also schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to review their academic goals and degree options. All incoming pupils take a placement exam unless they want FCC to use their standardized test scores.

Student services available to remote students include community resources, referrals, and networking opportunities. Additionally, FCC offers student support services for veteran and military students and learners with disabilities. Students also enjoy academic counseling and advising, online tutoring and writing assistance, and full-text library access.

CSM in La Plata, Maryland, is a public institution established in 1958. The school provides more than 120 academic programs, including associate of arts, science, and applied science degrees.

Using the Blackboard learning system, students engage with online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses and complete their associate programs in approximately two years. Distance students follow a predetermined, synchronous schedule and complete assignments alongside their colleagues. Depending on the class, students may need to take proctored exams or on-campus assessments at approved testing centers.

Remote learners at CSM can choose from five associate degrees in:

• Business administration
• Business administration: technical management
• Business management
• Information services technology
• Sport management

Associate degrees typically require 60 credits for graduation. Incoming students may transfer credits toward their associate degrees to save time and money. CSM offers more than 60 transfer agreements with over 40 partnering accredited institutions. The registrar considers courses for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

Online students take advantage of academic advising, career services, and transfer student support at CSM. The school also offers virtual and library support services.

Prospective students with a high school diploma or GED may enroll as for-credit students. Incoming learners submit an application with their financial aid information and transcripts for consideration. Additionally, new students must take a placement test or submit their SAT or ACT standardized test scores.

Located in Rockville, Maryland, MC is a public community college with an extensive continuing education division. Established in 1946, today the school serves approximately 60,000 students. Distance students can choose from five associate degrees online at MC. These two-year programs best serve students planning to transfer to a four-year college and major in a related field. Fully online programs include:

• Business
• Computer science and technologies
• Criminal justice
• General studies
• Early childhood education technology

Associate degrees at this affordable online college in Maryland require at least 60 credits for graduation. Full-time students typically follow a synchronous sequence over the course of four semesters. Incoming students may transfer credits toward the associate degree to save time and money. Each major follows its own transfer credit stipulations and accepts prior coursework on a case-by-case basis.

MC students take advantage of online advising, personal counseling, academic tutorials, and full-text library access. The school delivers tutoring services through the Smarthinking program and offers 24-hour technical support for distance students.

Both current students and alumni take advantage of the school's career services resources, including opportunities to develop advanced application materials and receive job search assistance. All interested distance learners receive a career coach and access to the school's workforce development enrichment programs, cooperative education and internship programs, and student-led organizations.

MC is open to prospective students who are over 16 years old with a high school diploma or GED. For consideration, candidates must submit an online application with their high school transcripts and financial aid information. The school does not require the SAT or ACT.

AACC is a public community college located in Arnold, Maryland. Established in 1961, the school boasts 54,000 students. In 2000, the National Business Alliance named AACC the "Community College of the Year." The school offers 14 associate degrees through its flexible virtual classroom for distance learners. Available two-year online degrees at AACC include:

• Business administration
• Business management with concentrations in financial accounting, health professionals, human resources, leadership, social enterprise, and supply chain management
• Gender and sexuality studies
• Psychology
• Information systems
• Transfer studies

Online classes at this affordable online college in Maryland are not self-paced and feature set start and end dates. Students must keep up with regular deadlines for assignments and exams. In addition to fully online formats, many learners can also choose a hybrid format if they wish to incorporate a face-to-face learning component.

Interested students may apply online. All incoming students must submit financial aid information and take the ACCUPLACER placement exam. AACC advisors help distance students develop a plan and register for courses each term throughout the program.

Online learners participate in virtual advising appointments with university counselors using the Canvas system. Additionally, remote learners can access online tutoring opportunities, transfer student services, and library access. The school's career and employment services help students locate open positions and internships.