Compare NCLEX pass rates, costs, outcomes, and program formats across Maryland's top nursing programs.
Maryland is projected to be short 13,800 registered nurses this year, a 23% gap that has hospitals and clinics competing fiercely for new graduates. Nursing programs in the state reflect this urgency: they range from Johns Hopkins University’s direct-entry MSN in Baltimore to community college ADN pathways on the Eastern Shore. With median earnings varying widely by degree and location, picking the right program means weighing cost, clinical placements, and long-term earnings, not just reputation.
Maryland offers a rich landscape of nursing education, from entry-level programs at community colleges to elite graduate pathways at research universities. Our 2026 rankings highlight the top schools based on affordability, student outcomes, and program quality, helping you find the right fit for your nursing career in the state.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $19,000/yr (net price) | Second-degree students in direct-entry MSN | |
Johns Hopkins University delivers an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Entry into Nursing program for career changers with a prior bachelor's. Based in Baltimore, the program leverages Hopkins' extensive clinical network and global health focus, preparing students for RN licensure and leadership roles. With a selective admission rate and strong post-graduation earnings, Hopkins stands as a premier choice for those seeking a fast-paced, high-impact nursing education.
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| #2 | Towson University | Towson, MD | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Community college transfers into BSN | |
Towson University provides both a traditional BSN and a direct-entry MSN, with strong NCLEX pass rates and a public university's affordability. Serving as a key pipeline from Maryland community colleges through dual-enrollment and RN-to-BSN pathways, Towson emphasizes communication, leadership, and clinical excellence. The campus-based programs offer hands-on simulation and robust clinical partnerships across the state.
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| #3 | Salisbury University | Salisbury, MD | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Aspiring rural and coastal Maryland nurses | |
Salisbury University's traditional BSN program is a cornerstone for nursing education on Maryland's Eastern Shore, with a small cohort model and a rigorous two-step admission process. The curriculum builds on a solid science foundation and emphasizes clinical placements in rural and coastal communities. Graduates are prepared for NCLEX-RN and entry-level practice, with pathways to advanced degrees.
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| #4 | University of Maryland, Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | |||
The University of Maryland School of Nursing is the state's flagship public nursing institution, offering a comprehensive range from a top-ranked pre-licensure BSN to an online RN-to-BSN and an entry-level MSN. With campuses in Baltimore and Rockville, UMB combines competency-based education with extensive clinical hours and in-state tuition advantages. Its graduates report among the highest earnings in Maryland, reflecting strong workforce integration.
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| #5 | Carroll Community College | Westminster, MD | $3,000/yr | ||
Carroll Community College offers an affordable ADN program with multiple advanced entry tracks for LPNs, paramedics, and military medics. The campus-based program features simulation labs and regional clinical rotations, preparing students for NCLEX-RN. With a low net price and credit transfer pathways to BSN programs, it's a practical starting point for Maryland nursing careers.
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| #6 | Montgomery College | Rockville, MD | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Montgomery College's two-year ADN program at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus is ACEN-accredited and focuses on the art and science of compassionate nursing care. Graduates are in high demand for immediate employment in the Washington, D.C. metro area, with strong NCLEX preparation. The program offers a clear pathway to further education through state articulation agreements.
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| #7 | Stevenson University | Owings Mills, MD | $27,000/yr | ||
Stevenson University provides a private BSN education with direct admission and multiple clinical specialization pathways. Located in Owings Mills, the program features state-of-the-art simulation, clinical partnerships with prestigious hospitals like Johns Hopkins, and experienced faculty mentorship. With a solid graduation rate and competitive earnings, Stevenson prepares students for diverse nursing careers.
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| #8 | Harford Community College | Bel Air, MD | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Harford Community College's AS in Nursing is a competitive pre-licensure program emphasizing safe practices and professional development. Admission requires a 2.50 GPA and TEAS score, with coursework in core sciences. The Bel Air campus offers hands-on learning, and graduates are positioned for NCLEX-RN and seamless transfer to Maryland RN-to-BSN programs.
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| #9 | Hagerstown Community College | Hagerstown, MD | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Hagerstown Community College's ADN program offers flexible scheduling with three-year, two-year accelerated, and weekend/evening options, plus transition tracks for LPNs, paramedics, and military medics. The curriculum integrates holistic care and clinical experience, leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility. Affordable and accessible in Western Maryland, it serves a diverse student body.
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| #10 | Frostburg State University | Frostburg, MD | $10,000 – $26,000/yr | ||
Frostburg State University's CCNE-accredited BSN program serves the Western Maryland region with small class sizes, a living learning community, and community clinical rotations. The program emphasizes a supportive, diverse learning environment and strong faculty mentorship, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN and nursing practice in rural and underserved settings.
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Some nursing school rankings lean on a single metric like NCLEX pass rates or rely on editorial opinion alone. Our approach builds a fuller picture by combining multiple data points that matter to your education and career. We analyze cost, earnings, graduation rates, and program formats to help you weigh trade-offs that truly affect your decision.
We use four key factors, each drawn from publicly available federal data. Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships, sourced from the College Scorecard institution-level data. This is not the sticker price; it shows what students typically pay out of pocket. Earnings come from College Scorecard program-level data, where available, and capture median debt-to-earnings ratios and early-career pay for nursing graduates. Graduation rates are institution-wide (not nursing-specific) but indicate how well a college supports its students through to completion. Finally, we note which formats each school offers: traditional BSN, ADN, accelerated, or RN-to-BSN pathways.
A school with a perfect NCLEX pass rate might have low graduation rates or leave graduates with debt far outpacing their early salaries. By blending cost, outcomes, and completion data, we spotlight programs that balance affordability, student success, and career readiness. Many competitor rankings rely on a single metric or anecdotal reputation, but our data-driven method provides a clearer, less biased starting point.
All figures come from the College Scorecard, a U.S. Department of Education resource. Because program-level earnings are still rolling out nationally, some newer programs may show limited data; we note that openly. For a detailed breakdown of our scoring, see our full methodology page. We believe transparency builds trust, and we publish our process so you can verify exactly how each school earned its spot.
The table below lists in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the average net price for nursing schools in Maryland. Net price is the amount students and families actually pay after subtracting grants and scholarships, so it is often much lower than the published tuition, especially at private institutions and public universities with robust financial aid. Community colleges typically offer the lowest net prices, while private colleges have higher sticker prices but may provide significant aid packages.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll Community College | $7,278 | $10,158 | $2,725 | Public (2-Year) |
| Chesapeake College | $6,608 | $8,768 | $5,106 | Public (2-Year) |
| Hagerstown Community College | $6,390 | $8,190 | $6,835 | Public (2-Year) |
| Montgomery College | $10,398 | $14,250 | $8,027 | Public (2-Year) |
| Allegany College of Maryland | $9,500 | $12,620 | $8,819 | Public (2-Year) |
| College of Southern Maryland | $7,350 | $9,450 | $9,204 | Public (2-Year) |
| Harford Community College | $6,432 | $8,832 | $9,234 | Public (2-Year) |
| Wor-Wic Community College | $7,032 | $8,400 | $9,360 | Public (2-Year) |
| Coppin State University | $7,100 | $14,024 | $9,977 | Public (4-Year) |
| Anne Arundel Community College | $8,354 | $11,522 | $14,915 | Public (2-Year) |
| Morgan State University | $8,229 | $19,124 | $14,985 | Public (4-Year) |
| Baltimore City Community College | $3,314 | $7,394 | $15,987 | Public (2-Year) |
| Frostburg State University | $10,220 | $25,814 | $16,715 | Public (4-Year) |
| Towson University | $11,728 | $29,820 | $17,413 | Public (4-Year) |
| Salisbury University | $11,084 | $22,174 | $17,743 | Public (4-Year) |
| Washington Adventist University | $26,604 | $26,604 | $18,526 | Private |
| Johns Hopkins University | $64,730 | $64,730 | $18,809 | Private |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | $43,360 | $43,360 | $19,169 | Private |
| Bowie State University | $9,218 | $19,938 | $19,298 | Public (4-Year) |
| Hood College | $47,700 | $47,700 | $20,873 | Private |
| McDaniel College | $52,081 | $52,081 | $21,916 | Private |
| Stevenson University | $40,560 | $40,560 | $26,505 | Private |
| Loyola University Maryland | $57,150 | $57,150 | $30,574 | Private |
The table below compares median earnings 10 years after entry and median debt for Maryland nursing program completers, based on College Scorecard data. Early-career (1-, 2-, and 4-year) program-level earnings are not yet available, so these long-term figures offer a view of career trajectory. For context, the mean annual wage for RNs in Maryland is $78,350, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024).
| School | Median Earnings (10-Year) | Median Debt | ROI Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | 87555 | 10250 | 8.54 |
| University of Maryland, Baltimore | 88174 | 15000 | 5.88 |
| Anne Arundel Community College | 46219 | 8250 | 5.6 |
| College of Southern Maryland | 44435 | 8500 | 5.23 |
| Montgomery College | 50159 | 10415 | 4.82 |
| Wor-Wic Community College | 36748 | 7828 | 4.69 |
| Harford Community College | 44608 | 9812 | 4.55 |
| Hagerstown Community College | 41615 | 11000 | 3.78 |
| Carroll Community College | 44349 | 11750 | 3.77 |
| Towson University | 64390 | 18718 | 3.44 |
| Loyola University Maryland | 82652 | 27000 | 3.06 |
| Salisbury University | 61515 | 21000 | 2.93 |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | 65344 | 22666 | 2.88 |
| Allegany College of Maryland | 38476 | 13702 | 2.81 |
| Frostburg State University | 55493 | 21105 | 2.63 |
| McDaniel College | 60663 | 25000 | 2.43 |
| Stevenson University | 62079 | 26000 | 2.39 |
| Bowie State University | 54537 | 22985 | 2.37 |
| Hood College | 57089 | 25000 | 2.28 |
| Washington Adventist University | 64249 | 30500 | 2.11 |
| Morgan State University | 50698 | 27250 | 1.86 |
| Coppin State University | 46490 | 25000 | 1.86 |
In Maryland, registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $84,000 according to 2023 BLS data. For broader context, here is how the national RN salary distribution looks in 2024, with the 10th percentile at $66,030, median at $93,600, and 90th percentile at $135,320. Maryland's median falls below the national median, reflecting regional cost-of-living and demand factors.
Maryland nursing programs come in four distinct formats, and the right one depends entirely on your starting point, whether you’re a high school graduate, a career changer with a bachelor’s in another field, or a working RN looking to level up.
The ADN is the fastest route to RN licensure for students without a prior college degree. Typically completed in two years at community colleges, these programs combine classroom instruction with clinical rotations. After graduation, you sit for the NCLEX-RN and can start working as a registered nurse. - Length: 2 years - Where: Community colleges throughout Maryland, including Anne Arundel Community College, Montgomery College, and others - Best for: High school graduates or adults seeking a direct, affordable entry into nursing - Online availability: Mostly campus-based with some hybrid components; fully online ADN programs are rare due to clinical requirements
A four-year BSN offers a deeper foundation in leadership, research, and community health alongside clinical nursing skills. Many hospitals now prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, and the degree is a stepping stone to advanced practice roles. In Maryland, universities like Towson University, Salisbury University, and Stevenson University offer comprehensive BSN programs. - Length: 4 years (full-time) - Where: Four-year public and private universities across the state - Best for: High school graduates who want a broad nursing education and eventual career flexibility in management, public health, or graduate study - Online availability: Traditional BSN programs are overwhelmingly in-person; some general education courses may be online, but nursing courses and clinicals require campus attendance
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) or Second Degree BSN tracks are built for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. These intensive programs compress core nursing coursework and clinicals into 12 to 18 months. In Maryland, only a handful of schools offer true accelerated paths. - Notre Dame of Maryland University runs a 15-month hybrid ABSN for students with a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Its blended online and on-campus format offers some scheduling flexibility. - Salisbury University’s Second Degree BSN takes 12–18 months and is campus-based, with full-time, in-person engagement. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing lists an Entry to Nursing BSN that is not classified as accelerated; it spans 24 months and is campus-based. While faster than a traditional four-year BSN, it does not fit the accelerated second-degree model. - Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, and Stevenson University do not offer ABSN or Second Degree BSN programs.
RN-to-BSN programs are designed specifically for licensed registered nurses who hold an ADN or diploma and want to earn a bachelor’s degree. Most can be completed in one to two years, often while working full-time. Maryland schools commonly offer these programs online or in a hybrid format to accommodate working nurses’ schedules. - Length: 1–2 years - Where: Many Maryland universities, including the University of Maryland School of Nursing, provide online or part-time RN-to-BSN options - Best for: ADN-prepared nurses seeking career advancement, higher pay, or admission to graduate nursing programs - Online availability: Very common, RN-to-BSN is the most online-friendly nursing pathway because students have already acquired clinical skills through their initial RN preparation
If you’re fresh out of high school and eager to start nursing quickly, a two-year ADN at a community college gets you into the workforce fastest. For high school graduates who can invest four years upfront, a traditional BSN opens more doors from day one. Career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree should look at Notre Dame’s hybrid ABSN or Salisbury’s Second Degree BSN for the shortest timeline; the University of Maryland’s Entry to Nursing BSN is a solid option if you can commit to two years of full-time study. If you’re already an RN with an ADN, an online RN-to-BSN lets you earn your bachelor’s without stepping away from your current role.
Maryland is projected to have 13,800 fewer registered nurses than needed this year, a 23 percent shortage according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. That gap could strain hospitals and slow emergency response times across the state.
Becoming a registered nurse in Maryland follows a clear sequence: complete prerequisites, earn a nursing degree, pass the NCLEX, and obtain licensure through the Maryland Board of Nursing. The state's compact membership and updated fee structure for 2025 add practical considerations.
Maryland's nursing programs cluster around three distinct regions, each with its own clinical partnerships and lifestyle considerations. From the dense Baltimore metro corridor to the quieter Eastern Shore, where you study shapes your clinical rotations, commute, and network.
The greatest concentration of nursing schools sits in and around Baltimore. Programs range from research-intensive universities to community colleges with strong transfer pathways.
The Baltimore region gives nursing students direct access to world-renowned clinical sites, including the Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, and MedStar Health facilities. These rotations often lead to job offers before graduation. Commutes can be heavy on I-695 and I-95, so living near your program or a transit line is worth planning.
South and west of Baltimore, programs serve the Washington, D.C. suburbs and rapidly growing central counties. While less concentrated than Baltimore, the area still holds several strong choices.
Many schools here partner with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, Adventist HealthCare, and Inova Health System on the Virginia side. For out-of-state students from Virginia or the District, these programs can shorten the commute while still offering a Maryland-based license pathway.
Western Maryland offers a handful of nursing programs serving more rural communities. Hagerstown Community College, Frostburg State University, and Allegany College of Maryland (Cumberland) anchor the region. Tuition and living costs tend to be lower here, and clinical rotations often take place at Meritus Medical Center or UPMC Western Maryland. Out-of-state students from Pennsylvania and West Virginia frequently choose these schools for their proximity and affordable in-district rates for border counties.
Across the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore is home to a few intimate nursing programs. Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College (both in Salisbury) and Chesapeake College (Wye Mills) serve the Delmarva Peninsula. Clinical placements rely on regional systems like TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. Cohorts are smaller, and faculty mentorship is often more personalized. Out-of-state students from Delaware and Virginia's Eastern Shore may find the reverse commute across the Bay Bridge or Route 50 surprisingly manageable outside of peak summer traffic.
Maryland's compact size makes it possible to commute from neighboring states, but traffic patterns matter. I-95, I-495, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway see heavy congestion during rush hours. Students living in northern Virginia or southern Pennsylvania can realistically attend programs near the state line, but a downtown Baltimore or DC program will require realistic commute planning. Public transit options (MARC, Metro, Light Rail) help, but not all campuses are transit-accessible. Check if a program qualifies you for in-county or in-state tuition waivers through your home county's reciprocity agreements before committing.
How does a nursing school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate signal the quality of its program, and how do Maryland schools compare to national trends?
NCLEX-RN pass rates are one of the most direct measures of a nursing program’s effectiveness. They show the percentage of graduates who pass the national licensure exam on their first attempt, essential for starting a nursing career. A program’s pass rate reflects the strength of its curriculum, clinical training, and student support. Consistently high pass rates suggest thorough preparation, while declining or low rates may point to gaps in instruction or resources.
The NCLEX-RN tests the knowledge and decision-making skills needed for safe, entry-level practice. Schools with pass rates well above the national average often have rigorous coursework, strong faculty, and clinical partnerships that expose students to diverse patient care settings. Beyond classroom learning, these programs tend to emphasize critical thinking and exam-readiness through practice tests and remediation. Pass rates also indirectly indicate student selectivity, programs that attract highly motivated learners may see stronger outcomes. For prospective students, a school’s multi-year trend matters more than a single snapshot. A one-year dip could be due to a smaller cohort or a cohort’s particular characteristics, but a persistent slide warrants caution.
According to data from the Maryland Board of Nursing, the state’s overall pass rate for first-time NCLEX-RN test-takers has tracked favorably against the national average in recent years.1 Here’s how Maryland’s aggregate performance compares to the U.S. all first-time candidates:
These numbers represent all RN programs in the state combined, so individual school results can vary. The 2024 spike to 94% was notably strong, placing Maryland well above the national benchmark. While 2025 slipped slightly to 91%, it remained three percentage points ahead of the national average, indicating sustained strength across Maryland programs.
When comparing Maryland nursing schools, look beyond the state-wide average. Request each program’s pass rate for the last three to five years directly from the school or check the Maryland Board of Nursing’s published reports. Aim for programs whose pass rates consistently exceed the national average, this signals reliable preparation. Be aware that accelerated or large-cohort programs might show more variability, so consider the context behind the numbers. Remember, pass rates are just one part of your decision. Combine them with other factors like clinical placement opportunities, faculty-to-student ratio, and overall NCLEX support resources. A program that invests in early intervention and exam-prep workshops often helps boost passing scores, and that culture of support can make a real difference in your licensing journey.
When exploring nursing education in Maryland, prospective students often have questions about program quality, costs, and admissions. Below you'll find clear answers to common inquiries, drawing on data from topnursing.org’s rankings and state board resources.
Maryland has a wide range of nursing schools beyond the top-ranked programs, offering everything from affordable associate degrees to BSN programs at private universities. Whether you’re looking for a campus-based experience in Baltimore or an online option on the Eastern Shore, these additional schools provide solid pathways to a nursing career.
