Maryland · 2027 Rankings

Best Degree Completion Programs in Maryland 2027

In Maryland, transfer planning usually starts with ARTSYS, the state system where you can look up course equivalencies and program transfer guides across community colleges and public universities. The University of Baltimore points Maryland community college transfers straight to it. From there you can finish a bachelor's online at schools as different as the University of Maryland Global Campus, Frostburg State and Mount St. Mary's. Check what your credits are worth first, then compare cost.

Office towers and waterfront buildings along the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.
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2027 at a glance

Maryland Degree Completion Programs at a Glance

  1. The #1 school for degree completion in Maryland in 2027 is Frostburg State University, because 73% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (the highest on this list) and its online rate is $320 per credit for Maryland residents (the lowest on this list).
  2. #2 is Towson University: 69% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 8 other colleges on this list).
  3. #3 is University of Baltimore: its online rate is $382 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 5 other colleges on this list).

7 of the 10 colleges here are based in Maryland. They come first. The rest of the list is online colleges based in neighboring states, ranked with the same measures at their out-of-state rate.

The ranking

Degree Completion Programs in Maryland, Ranked

#1
Frostburg, Maryland

Frostburg State University

Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies

OnlineDegree completion route

Why it ranks #1: 73% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (the highest on this list) and its online rate is $320 per credit for Maryland residents (the lowest on this list).

Frostburg State built its fully online Multidisciplinary Studies BS for people who already have credits. You can bring up to 90 credits from a four-year school or 70 from a community college. If you stepped away for five years or more, you may petition to drop up to 16 credits and their grades from your GPA. Maryland undergraduates are listed at $320 per credit hour.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
73% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
13%
Graduate Earnings
$54,197 median
Where You Start
Send official transcripts from every previous college; Frostburg reviews each course against your degree plan.
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 credits from a four-year institution or 70 from a community college
Published Tuition
$320 per credit hour for Maryland undergraduates ($484 regional, $654 out of state)
#2
Towson, Maryland

Towson University

Bachelor of Technical and Professional Studies in Allied Health

OnlineDegree completion route

Why it ranks #2: 69% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 8 other colleges on this list) and its rate is $322 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 8 other colleges on this list).

Do you hold an A.A.S. in an approved allied health field from a Maryland community college? Towson partners with community colleges across the state on this bachelor's, and you can take it online, the only fully online undergraduate major at Towson. Up to 64 community college credits transfer, and you need a 2.00 GPA to apply.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
69% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
2%
Graduate Earnings
$58,624 median
Where You Start
A completed A.A.S. degree in an approved allied health discipline and a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA.
Transfer Credits
Up to 64 credits from regionally accredited community colleges
#3
Baltimore, Maryland

University of Baltimore

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

OnlineTransfer entry route

Why it ranks #3: Its online rate is $382 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 5 other colleges on this list) and 57% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 2 other colleges on this list).

The University of Baltimore asks transfer applicants for 30 college-level credits and a 2.0 GPA, then accepts up to 90 credits, including credit by examination. Its online completer option covers the upper-level criminal justice major entirely online. Maryland residents pay $357 per credit plus a $25 web class charge. UBalt also has agreements with Maryland community colleges.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
57% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
28%
Graduate Earnings
$58,117 median
Where You Start
Transfer applicants need 30 or more college-level credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
Published Tuition
$357 per credit for Maryland residents or $1,139 for nonresidents, plus $25 (in state) or $38 (out of state) per credit hour for web classes
#5
Adelphi, Maryland

University of Maryland Global Campus

Bachelor of Science in General Studies

OnlineTransfer entry route

Why it ranks #5: Its online rate is $337 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 7 other colleges on this list) and 89% of its undergraduates study fully online (the highest on this list).

Maryland residents pay $337 per credit at UMGC, while out-of-state students pay $499. The General Studies BS takes up to 90 credits from four-year schools or 70 from two-year schools, so a Maryland community college associate degree carries over. You complete 30 credits at UMGC, normally the final 30, and every course is online.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
42% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
89%
Graduate Earnings in This Field
$48,298 median
Where You Start
Meet UMGC undergraduate admission requirements, including a high school diploma or equivalent and English proficiency. Recent college applicants are also assessed on their academic standing.
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 credits from four-year schools or 70 credits from two-year schools; official transcripts are evaluated after application.
Degree Requirements
120 total credits. Complete 30 credits at UMGC, normally the final 30, including 15 upper-level credits.
Published Tuition
$337 per credit for Maryland residents; $499 per credit for out-of-state students. Other fees may apply.
Study Schedule
All courses are available online, with spring, summer and fall courses.
#6
Laurel, Maryland

Capitol Technology University

Bachelor of Science in Professional Trades Administration

OnlineDegree completion route

Why it ranks #6: Its online rate is $460 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 3 other colleges on this list) and 47% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 1 other college on this list).

If you work in the trades, Capitol Technology University's Professional Trades Administration BS counts NCCER credentials, up to 42 technical elective credits, and industry certifications like CompTIA A+ toward the degree. Asynchronous online undergraduates pay $460 per credit for 2026-27. Transfer courses need a C or higher, and 30 credits must come from Capitol.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
47% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
9%
Graduate Earnings
$63,334 median
Published Tuition
$460 per credit for asynchronous online undergraduates, 2026-27
#7
Emmitsburg, Maryland

Mount St. Mary's University

Bachelor of Arts or Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

OnlineDegree completion route

Why it ranks #7: 63% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 7 other colleges on this list) and its online rate is $585 per credit for Maryland residents.

Mount St. Mary's runs its Interdisciplinary Studies degree online in 5- and 8-week sessions all year, so you can start without waiting for fall. It accepts up to 75 transfer credits and asks for a 2.0 GPA. Tuition is $585 per credit for 2026-27, and you choose a BA or BS path through the courses you select.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
63% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
6%
Graduate Earnings
$57,669 median
Where You Start
Transfer applicants need a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended after high school.
Transfer Credits
Up to 75 transfer credits from a two-year and/or four-year institution
Published Tuition
$585 per credit for 2026-27
Study Schedule
Online courses in 5- and 8-week sessions, year-round
#8
Based in Delaware

Wilmington University

Bachelor of Science in Business Management

OnlineNew Castle, DelawareTransfer entry route

Why it ranks #8: 58% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 3 other colleges on this list) and its online rate is $364 per credit for out-of-state students (lower than 6 other colleges on this list).

Classes start every eight weeks at Wilmington University, so you don't wait long to begin the fully online Business Management BS. Online tuition is $364 per credit hour for 2026-27. The degree is 120 credits across 40 courses, up to 90 transfer credits can count, and concentrations include nonprofit management, sales administration, small business management and sport management.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
58% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
79%
Graduate Earnings in This Field
$66,899 median
Where You Start
Previous college coursework can be reviewed toward the business management degree.
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree
Published Tuition
$364 per credit hour for online students (2026-27)
#9
Based in Pennsylvania

Drexel University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Health Administration Major

OnlinePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaTransfer entry route

Why it ranks #9: 63% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 6 other colleges on this list) and its graduates earn a median $85,839 a year (the highest on this list).

If you have college coursework from after high school, you apply to Drexel as a transfer student and a credit evaluation follows. Up to 90 semester credits can count toward the bachelor's degree, and online health administration study is $497 per credit hour for 2026-27. The current program is a BSBA with a Health Administration major.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
63% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
7%
Graduate Earnings
$85,839 median
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 semester credits toward a bachelor's degree
Published Tuition
$497 per credit hour for online Health Services Administration (2026-27)
Based in PhiladelphiaExplore Drexel’s Degree ↗
#10
Based in Virginia

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

OnlineNorfolk, VirginiaDegree completion route

Why it ranks #10: 60% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 4 other colleges on this list) and its online rate is $453 per credit for out-of-state students (lower than 4 other colleges on this list).

Online tutoring comes with the Psychology BS at Old Dominion University in Virginia, where ODUGlobal provides it through Brainfuse for psychology and algebra. The degree starts with general psychology, quantitative methods and experimental design, then lets you choose courses by topic. It totals 120 credits, up to 90 can transfer, and at least 30 credit hours must be completed at ODU.

Transfer Students Who Graduate
60% within 8 years
Undergraduates Fully Online
32%
Graduate Earnings in This Field
$51,907 median
Where You Start
The completion route is for students with previous college credits; ODU evaluates your coursework through its admission and transfer process.
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 credits can transfer toward this degree.
Degree Requirements
120 total credits; at least 30 credit hours must be completed at ODU.
Published Tuition
Fall 2026: $443 per credit for eligible Virginia residents; $453 for out-of-state students.
Study Schedule
Accelerated 8-week courses; many have no scheduled class meeting, but exams can have fixed times.

Going Back to College in Maryland

Each school sets its own transfer limits, so look at the number first. UBalt accepts up to 90 credits, Frostburg up to 90 from a four-year school or 70 from a community college, and Mount St. Mary's up to 75. Public universities charge residents less. UMGC lists $337 per credit for Maryland residents and Frostburg lists $320 per credit hour, while Mount St. Mary's is $585 per credit. ARTSYS shows how Maryland community college courses line up with a four-year program, which helps before you apply.

ARTSYS

The Articulation System for Maryland colleges lets you explore course equivalencies and program transfer guides that show the recommended first 60 credits toward a bachelor's degree.

Read the official guidance:
How we ranked

Every college on every state list is scored the same way, out of 100. The measures, from most to least weight:

  • Transfer Student Completion (25%): the share of transfer students who earn a degree within eight years (IPEDS Outcome Measures).
  • Cost per Credit (20%): the online per-credit rate the school publishes, at the resident rate for in-state schools, or the federal per-credit charge when no online rate is published.
  • Transfer Credit Maximum (15%): the most transfer credit the featured degree accepts, from the school’s own policy.
  • Online Experience (15%): the share of undergraduates who study fully online (IPEDS).
  • Graduate Earnings (15%): median earnings of the school’s graduates in that field (College Scorecard).
  • School Reputation (10%): a rating of how employers regard the school’s bachelor’s degrees, made the same way for every school from its published facts.

When a measure is missing for a college, it gets the middle value for that measure, so missing data never helps a school move up.

Read the full state ranking method ↗
Before you call an admissions office

Questions About Finishing Your Degree in Maryland

Which School Has the Best Degree Completion Program in Maryland?

The #1 school for degree completion in Maryland in 2027 is Frostburg State University, because 73% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (the highest on this list) and its online rate is $320 per credit for Maryland residents (the lowest on this list). #2 is Towson University: 69% of its transfer students earn a degree within eight years (higher than 8 other colleges on this list). #3 is University of Baltimore: its online rate is $382 per credit for Maryland residents (lower than 5 other colleges on this list). The order comes from transfer student graduation rates, cost per credit, transfer credit limits, online experience, graduate earnings and school reputation, weighted the same way for every state.

How Do I Check Maryland Community College Credits Before I Apply?

Use ARTSYS, the Maryland articulation system. It lists course equivalencies and program transfer guides across community colleges and universities, so you can see how a course is likely to count. The University of Baltimore sends Maryland community college transfers to it, and its transfer team also reviews your transcripts after you apply. Confirm the final evaluation with the school.

Which Maryland Online Programs Accept up to 90 Transfer Credits?

The University of Baltimore accepts up to 90 transfer credits, and Frostburg State takes up to 90 from a four-year school or 70 from a community college. UMGC uses the same 90 and 70 limits. Mount St. Mary's accepts up to 75 credits, and Towson accepts up to 64 community college credits in its allied health bachelor's.

What Does an Online Bachelor's Cost in Maryland?

It depends on the school. UMGC lists $337 per credit for Maryland residents and $499 for out-of-state students. Frostburg State lists $320 per credit hour for Maryland undergraduates. The University of Baltimore charges $357 per credit plus a $25 web class charge for in-state students. Private options like Mount St. Mary's at $585 per credit and Capitol Technology University at $460 cost more.

Sources for the Maryland Rankings

College facts come from each school’s own degree, admission, transfer and tuition pages. Graduation, online enrollment and earnings figures come from federal data that every college reports the same way.

View 48 Source Records
  1. Online Multidisciplinary Studies | Frostburg State University
  2. Online Multidisciplinary Studies | Frostburg State University
  3. Transfer Student FAQ | Frostburg State University
  4. Transfer Student FAQ | Frostburg State University
  5. Tuition and Fees | Frostburg State University
  6. Allied Health | Towson University
  7. Allied Health | Towson University
  8. Allied Health | Towson University
  9. Admission Requirements | Allied Health | Towson University
  10. B.S. in Criminal Justice | University of Baltimore
  11. Transfer Admission | University of Baltimore
  12. Transferring Credits and Experience | University of Baltimore
  13. Tuition and Fees | University of Baltimore
  14. Tuition and Fees | University of Baltimore
  15. Transfer Admission | University of Baltimore
  16. Bachelor's Legal Studies Degree Online | Stevenson University
  17. Tuition | Stevenson University Online
  18. Online General Studies Bachelor's Degree | UMGC
  19. UMGC Policy on Undergraduate Admissions | UMGC
  20. Bachelor's Degree Requirements | UMGC
  21. How can I transfer undergraduate credits to UMGC? | UMGC Help Center
  22. GPA for Inclusion on Transcripts and Requests Policy
  23. Professional Trades Administration (BS) | Capitol Technology University
  24. Professional Trades Administration (BS) | Capitol Technology University
  25. Online Programs | Capitol Technology University
  26. Online Programs | Capitol Technology University
  27. Transfer Students | Capitol Technology University
  28. Transfer Students | Capitol Technology University
  29. Online Accelerated Undergraduate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies | Mount St. Mary's University
  30. Online Accelerated Undergraduate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies | Mount St. Mary's University
  31. Online Accelerated Undergraduate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies | Mount St. Mary's University
  32. Online Accelerated Undergraduate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies | Mount St. Mary's University
  33. Mount Online | Mount St. Mary's University
  34. Earn Your B.S. in Business Management at Wilmington University
  35. 2026-2027 Tuition & Fees | Wilmington University
  36. Transfer Credit Policy | Wilmington University Undergraduate Catalog
  37. BSBA Major in Health Administration | Drexel University's LeBow College of Business
  38. Transfer Student Admissions | Drexel University
  39. Transfer Credits | Drexel University Admissions
  40. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees | Drexel University
  41. Online Psychology Bachelor's Degree | ODUGlobal
  42. ARTSYS | University System of Maryland
  43. ARTSYS | University System of Maryland
  44. Transferring Credits and Experience | University of Baltimore
  45. IPEDS Outcome Measures, 2024 Provisional Release (National Center for Education Statistics)
  46. IPEDS Fall Enrollment: Distance Education Status, 2024 (National Center for Education Statistics)
  47. IPEDS Institutional Characteristics: Tuition and Fees, 2024 (National Center for Education Statistics)
  48. College Scorecard: Field of Study Earnings (U.S. Department of Education)
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