25 Best Universities In Maryland For International Students 2025

Maryland is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 27 universities and colleges in Maryland, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 27 universities in Maryland, Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland are the top-performing schools in Maryland. This list covers both public and private institutions in Maryland.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Maryland. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Maryland.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Maryland?

Applying to the universities in Maryland involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Maryland to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Maryland?

Tuition fees at Maryland’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 60,500 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 7,425 USD to 76,200 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Maryland!

As we cover the best universities in Maryland for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Maryland for International Students

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is the United States’ first research university. Since then, it has maintained its tradition of excellence by making discoveries, pursuing knowledge, innovating solutions, and encouraging curiosity. JHU is renowned worldwide for its prestigious education, which places it among the top 25 universities worldwide.

The research-intensive University of Maryland serves as the state’s flagship institution. It is also the largest university in Maryland and a member of the “Public Ivy” institutions. The school was founded in 1807 and had a long history of producing prominent alumni, faculty, and researchers. It is home to many notable alumni, including writers, business leaders, former professional athletes, politicians, and media figures.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is home to several professional schools establishing the United States’ foundation in medicine, law, and social work. Its establishment led to the founding of the University of Maryland System. Today, the University of Maryland, Baltimore offers more than 100 degree programs and certificates.

Being one of the highly ranked universities in the academic world, the University of Maryland in Baltimore County heavily specializes in research, and this institution has developed contracts with private industries and the federal government due to its highly enhanced research capabilities. Offering nearly 100 undergraduate programs with over 90 graduate courses, the college in Maryland has been famous for its involvement in many academic courses. When it comes to specific programs, UMBC is well-known for courses in natural sciences, engineering, liberal arts, and social sciences.

The University of Baltimore offers almost 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in its four colleges and schools. Although its main campus is located in Baltimore, the university opened two other satellite campuses in Maryland by partnering with other universities. Education here follows the Experiential Learning approach, which mixes classes with internships, volunteering, research, problem-solving teaching, projects, annual events, and learning experiences abroad.

United States Naval Academy provides undergraduate training to future leaders in the country’s Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. It competently prepares students by imposing a comprehensive curriculum and coursework. The institute is considered the second-oldest U.S. service academy and is very selective regarding admission.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is an educational institution operated by the U.S. federal government and only accepts domestic students. It primarily aims to train students in order for them to serve the community as future physicians, nurses, or medical professionals. The university is complete with the necessary tools and resources to aid the students’ medical training.

Morgan State University was initially Centenary Biblical Institute before being named after Lyttleton Morgan. It is the largest historically black university in Maryland and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which benefits academic institutions for African-American communities. Around 140 programs are offered at Morgan State. It is ranked 251st in the US by the QS rankings and 601st by the Times Higher Education.

St. John’s University is a private liberal arts university with dual campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The first campus was established in 1696, making it the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States. St. John’s University is also recognized for providing ideal college education, including familiarity with ideal professors, deep curriculums, and education policies for the intelligent student community.

Towson University, one of the eleven University System of Maryland campuses, started as a teacher training institution. Until now, it continues to mold most of Maryland’s teachers while also training students in various other fields, such as forensics and technology. One of Maryland’s most prominent institutions, Towson University, is well-ranked nationally, placing 301st in the US, as per the QS rankings.

Loyola University Maryland was the first Jesuit college to bear the name of the society’s founder in the US. It comprises only three colleges: Loyola College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and Sellinger School of Business and Management. Through these units, it offers around 47 undergrad and grad programs, such as accounting and theology. Throughout Baltimore, the university has established four campuses.

Salisbury University started as a Normal School for teachers with a student body of 105. The 2-year curriculum expanded to 3 years, and eventually started to open 4-year programs and even confer graduate degrees. In 2001, the institution officially became a university and has grown to accommodate over 8000 students offering a complete tertiary level education.

With 24 bachelor’s programs and one master’s program, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is known for its degrees in history, archeology, and education. Since the college is located in a historical city that used to be a colony, the university’s faculty and students have done important efforts to preserve its history and work on the archeological sites. This institution also has multiple institutes and centers, like the Center for the Study of Democracy and the Boyden Gallery.

Frostburg State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, offering programs centered on experiential learning to students from all counties in the state as well as other states and countries. Its programs are offered in Frostburg, Hagerstown, Anne Arundel County, Garrett County, and Cecil County, as well as online. The university is committed to providing a quality education that is both accessible and affordable.

Goucher College was initially founded as the Woman’s College of Baltimore City by a group of Methodists led by Rev. John Frank Goucher. Since its inception, the college has excelled in academic performance, receiving recognition as the top institution for a study abroad program and producing quality graduates that are employable overseas. The college offers a highly competitive undergraduate program that also provides top-tier undergraduate research experience to its students.

Washington College is concentrated on liberal arts training and education. They also offer courses in the sciences, technology, and business. It is among the oldest in the United States, established in 1782. With such extensive background, you may expect high-quality education. The institution is ranked 98th among national liberal arts colleges.

Founded in 1865, Bowie State is a historically black university in Maryland and one of the oldest universities in the country. Bowie State University provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities for students with ambitions to achieve and succeed. The university offers a chance for students to excel in their field of choice by giving them practical experience and a rigorous theoretical foundation.

With the integration of liberal arts and the professions, Hood College offers an outstanding education where students are encouraged to use their hearts and minds in meeting global challenges. It provides an inclusive environment, allowing students to achieve their personal and career goals. In recent years, the institution has been successful in expanding its reach internationally.

Founded with the purpose of serving African-American students during the times of racial segregation, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore continues educating people from all backgrounds and races. It is located in the Small Town of Princess Anne, which is filled with historic buildings and important sites, and also has academic structures in other parts of Maryland. It offers almost 50 bachelor’s degree programs and about 15 master’s degree programs in areas like forestry, aviation, engineering, and humanities. This institution is also known for its notable research projects, developed in different centers specialized in agriculture, fisheries, food safety, and physical therapy, among others.

Maryland Institute College of Art was initially founded to promote the manufacturing and mechanic arts by offering lectures and exhibitions at the Athenaeum. However, in 1835, the Athenaeum caught fire which led to the discontinuance of the programs until its reopening in 1847. Since then, the institute has grown and risen to be at the forefront of innovation, offering graduate programs to its students.

McDaniel College offers about 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. It focuses on providing education and tools that match the skills needed in the professional world. For doing so, the college has a first-year experience plan that includes mentoring and internships, as well as subjects that enhance specific abilities like critical thinking and work collaboration. It has a diverse and active student body with more than 70 student organizations.

Notre Dame of Maryland University educates leaders with the goal of transforming the world. It is the first Catholic college for women in America to offer the rigorous four-year education men already received. Notre Dame of Maryland University is a university at the top of the field.

The Mount St. Mary’s campus currently includes the most prominent Catholic seminary in the country. The university delivers education at the highest level, with service and experiential learning used to enhance and extend classroom study. The students of MSMU experience rigorous academic offerings and exciting social affairs.

Capitol Technology University was founded in 1927 in Laurel, Maryland. It is a private educational institution that offers several undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The university’s programs, activities, and services are designed to prepare students to become highly adaptable and competent professionals that meet the needs of today’s industries.

Stevenson University is a creative institution of higher education that accomplishes its mission, advances its vision, and incorporates its values with the engaged support of its faculty and students. Achieving excellence, the university acclaims superior performance while recognizing the importance of diligence toward goals. It aims to strengthen its international reputation by providing more programs and welcoming more students worldwide.