Maryland Institutions

​Maryland is fortunate to have more than 50 colleges and universities and more than 130 private career schools to choose from. Whatever choice is made, Maryland’s wide variety of colleges and universities has a match for you.

The University System of Maryland, for example, includes 12 distinctive and individual institutions: 11 degree-granting campuses and a research component. Maryland's two other excellent four-year institutions that are not part of the University System of Maryland have their own governing boards.  They are Morgan State University and St. Mary's College of Maryland.  The combined resources of these diverse institutions enhance the quality of higher educational programs and services in Maryland. In addition, Maryland students also have the option of attending one of our excellent independent colleges and universities or our outstanding 16 community colleges. 

Students also choose from the abundance of Maryland’s two-year public colleges. Ranging from community colleges to various specialty schools, these choices are perfect for those students who are either just beginning their educational journey or for those who are enhancing their skills and knowledge

Collectively, Maryland’s colleges and universities offer every kind of educational experience, whether for the traditional college student who goes directly to college from high school, or for students who have already begun their careers and want to learn new skills. Maryland is proud that nearly one-third of its residents 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is the 4th highest percentage among all states.

Maryland's economic diversity and educational vitality is what makes it one of the best states in the nation in which to live, learn, work and raise a family.​

Private Career Schools

The Maryland Higher Education Commission serves as the state's regulator of private career schools (PCS).  It sets academic and financial standards and takes legal action when necessary to protect students.  No private career school may operate in Maryland without Commission approval.  Maryland has more than 130 private career schools from which to choose that offer everything from cosmetology to medical imaging. If your goal is to get into the allied health field, you can find training in one of dozens of Maryland private career schools. If you are interested in the beauty/personal appearance field, Maryland has more than 30 related private career schools. The bottom line is there is a private career school to suit many different interests. On this site, you will find a list of Maryland’s private career schools. You will also find out how to open a private career school, information on closed private career schools and outcomes for each approved program, which includes enrollment, completion rate and pass rate of graduates on any licensure examination.

Veterans Benefits

The Maryland Higher Education Commission serves as the official State Approving Agency (or SAA), an approving authority for the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The SAA has approved and supervises over 400 postsecondary institutions that are legally operating in Maryland, including public and private colleges, universities, community colleges, training academies, high schools and private career schools.

In order for a veteran, reservist or dependent to use their GI Bill benefits, the program must be approved by a State Approving Agency.

The Maryland State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Programs has been designated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to approve programs in accordance with the standards and provisions of Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Title 38, U.S.C., and Chapters 1606 and 1607 of Title 10, U.S.C..

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) web pages contain the Maryland Eligible Training Provider List of programs eligible for funding through WIOA.  The ETPL includes almost 500 occupational programs offered by over 75 institutions (community colleges, 4-year colleges and universities, private career schools, and other training providers).  The ETPL also identifies over 50 prevocational Adult Education and Literacy activities overseen by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.​

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The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

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