The Best Finance Programs in Maryland for 2026
The best finance programs in Maryland are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 7 business programs in Maryland on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in finance actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 7 ranked programs in Maryland runs from $5,698 to $57,150 a year, a $51,452 spread for the same credential.
University of Maryland-College Park tops the list with a 97.6 Hakia Score on an 89% graduation rate, at $10,087 a year in-state. Across all 7 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 57%, ranging from 33% to 89%. The national median pay in the field is $88,870 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland
- University of Maryland-College Park ranks first among Maryland's business programs with a 97.6 Hakia Score and an 89% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 7 ranked Maryland programs spans $5,698 to $57,150 a year, a $51,452 gap for the same bachelor's in finance.
- The 7 ranked Maryland programs graduate 57% of students on average, from 33% to 89%.
- 5 of the 7 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Maryland residents.
- 2 of the 7 offer a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $88,870 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Maryland program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 7 accredited programs in Maryland reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 7 Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD | Public | $10,087 | 89% | 45% | 97.6 |
| 2 | Loyola University MarylandBaltimore, MD | Nonprofit | $57,150 | 79% | 75% | 86.7 |
| 3 | Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD | Public | $7,860 | 68% | 87% | 79.2 |
| 4 | University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · online option | Public | $7,776 | 33% | NR | 72.1 |
| 5 | Hood CollegeFrederick, MD · online option | Nonprofit | $46,700 | 57% | 78% | 70.0 |
| 6 | Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD | Public | $5,698 | 41% | 82% | 62.8 |
| 7 | University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD | Public | $5,750 | 35% | 96% | 54.5 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland, Compared by Score
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
A Closer Look at the Top Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
- Grad rate
- 89%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- In-state
- $10,087
- Out-of-state
- $39,464
University of Maryland-College Park graduates 89% of its students, above the 57% average across this ranking, on a 97.6 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 97.6, #1 of 7
- 89% graduation rate
- $10,087 in-state vs $39,464 out-of-state
- Most selective program here
University of Maryland-College Park is a public institution in College Park, MD. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #1 of the 7 analyzed here with a 97.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 74.7 group average. The program graduates 89% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. University of Maryland-College Park admits 45% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 41,725 students.
On cost, University of Maryland-College Park charges $10,087 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $39,464 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $40,348 in tuition for residents, against $157,856 for non-residents. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MD residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 75%
- In-state
- $57,150
- Out-of-state
- $57,150
Loyola University Maryland graduates 79% of its students, above the 57% average across this ranking, on an 86.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 86.7, #2 of 7
- 79% graduation rate
- $57,150 tuition
- Admits just 75% of applicants
Based in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Maryland is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #2 of the 7 ranked here, earning an 86.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 74.7 group average, in the top third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 79% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. Loyola University Maryland admits 75% of applicants, more selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at University of Maryland-College Park, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%.
On cost, Loyola University Maryland charges $57,150 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $228,600 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD · Public
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $7,860
- Out-of-state
- $18,950
Salisbury University graduates 68% of its students, above the 57% average across this ranking, on a 79.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 79.2, #3 of 7
- 68% graduation rate
- $7,860 in-state vs $18,950 out-of-state
- Admits just 87% of applicants
Based in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #3 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 79.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 74.7 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. Salisbury University admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at University of Maryland-College Park, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%.
On cost, Salisbury University charges $7,860 a year in-state, roughly 2.4x the $18,950 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $31,440 in tuition for residents, against $75,800 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MD residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $7,776
- Out-of-state
- $11,976
At $7,776 a year in-state, University of Maryland Global Campus is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 72.1 Hakia Score on a 33% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 72.1, #4 of 7
- 33% graduation rate
- $7,776 in-state vs $11,976 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
University of Maryland Global Campus is a public institution in Adelphi, MD. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #4 of the 7 analyzed here with a 72.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 74.7 group average, in the middle third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 63,012 students.
On cost, University of Maryland Global Campus charges $7,776 a year in-state, versus $11,976 for out-of-state students. Over four years that is about $31,104 in tuition for residents, against $47,904 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 11x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Hood College
Frederick, MD · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 78%
- In-state
- $46,700
- Out-of-state
- $46,700
Hood College graduates 57% of its students, above the 57% average across this ranking, on a 70.0 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 70.0, #5 of 7
- 57% graduation rate
- $46,700 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Hood College is a private, nonprofit institution in Frederick, MD. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #5 of the 7 analyzed here with a 70.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 74.7 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 57% of its students, above the 57% average across the ranked schools. Hood College admits 78% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at University of Maryland-College Park, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%.
On cost, Hood College charges $46,700 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $186,800 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD · Public
- Grad rate
- 41%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $5,698
- Out-of-state
- $16,593
At $5,698 a year in-state, Morgan State University is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 62.8 Hakia Score on a 41% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 62.8, #6 of 7
- 41% graduation rate
- $5,698 in-state vs $16,593 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Morgan State University is a public institution in Baltimore, MD. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #6 of the 7 analyzed here with a 62.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 74.7 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 41% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. Morgan State University admits 82% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at University of Maryland-College Park, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%.
On cost, Morgan State University charges $5,698 a year in-state, roughly 2.9x the $16,593 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $22,792 in tuition for residents, against $66,372 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD · Public
- Grad rate
- 35%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- In-state
- $5,750
- Out-of-state
- $16,796
At $5,750 a year in-state, University of Maryland Eastern Shore is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 54.5 Hakia Score on a 35% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 54.5, #7 of 7
- 35% graduation rate
- $5,750 in-state vs $16,796 out-of-state
- Admits just 96% of applicants
Based in Princess Anne, MD, University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #7 of the 7 ranked here, earning a 54.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 74.7 group average, in the lower third of the 7 ranked programs. The program graduates 35% of its students, below the 57% average across the ranked schools. University of Maryland Eastern Shore admits 96% of applicants, less selective than the 77% average for the group. That is more open than the 45% rate at University of Maryland-College Park, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 89%.
On cost, University of Maryland Eastern Shore charges $5,750 a year in-state, roughly 2.9x the $16,796 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $23,000 in tuition for residents, against $67,184 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $5,698 at Morgan State University to $57,150 at Loyola University Maryland. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
What a Bachelor's in Finance Costs in Maryland
In-state tuition among the 7 ranked finance programs in Maryland runs from $5,698 to $57,150 a year. Morgan State University anchors the low end at $5,698, while Loyola University Maryland sits at the top at $57,150. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $22,792 in tuition at the low end against roughly $228,600 at the high end for the same bachelor's in finance. Against the national median of $88,870 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes a finance degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online Finance Options in Maryland
2 of the 7 ranked Maryland programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online finance degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
Finance Careers and Pay After a Maryland Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $88,870 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $5,698 or $57,150 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Maryland program compete in that same national pay structure.
Common Questions About Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland
What is the best finance bachelor's degree in Maryland?
By Hakia Score, University of Maryland-College Park ranks first among the 7 finance programs in Maryland we analyzed, with a 97.6 score and an 89% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a finance bachelor's degree cost in Maryland?
In-state tuition among the ranked Maryland programs runs from $5,698 to $57,150 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online finance bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $88,870 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Maryland-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Our Methodology for Ranking Finance Bachelor's Programs in Maryland
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.