![[photo, George Peabody statue before Peabody Institute, Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-3828.jpg)
![[photo, University of Maryland School of Law, 500 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25univ/umab/images/1198-1-2564.jpg)
PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
In Maryland, public higher education is served by:
![[photo, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Symons Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25univ/umcp/images/1198-1-503b.jpg)
![[photo, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25univ/biot/images/1198-1-1749.jpg)
The University System of Maryland also includes the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
In addition, sixteen community colleges and eight regional higher education centers serve the public. Information about public universities and colleges (including community colleges) is available from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Columbus Center, 701 East Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In fall 2007, some 326,087 students (undergraduate, graduate, & professional) enrolled at Maryland universities and colleges, the highest such enrollment in State history. Women accounted for 58.7% of all students. For undergraduates, Maryland residents constituted 92.2% of enrollees at community colleges, 75.7% at public four-year institutions, and 54.7% at independent universities and colleges.
In 2008, the average yearly cost for residents attending a State college was $7,097. For nonresidents, the average was $17,391.
For those wishing to continue their education via the Internet, Maryland Online offers that opportunity. Maryland Online is a consortium of community colleges and universities that offer courses online to students unable to attend classes on a campus. Initiated in the fall of 1999, the consortium now includes 20 members: Allegany College of Maryland; Anne Arundel Community College; Baltimore City Community College; Community College of Baltimore County; Capitol College; Carroll Community College; Cecil Community College; Chesapeake College; College of Southern Maryland; Frederick Community College; Garrett College; Harford Community College; Howard Community College; Montgomery College; Morgan State University; Prince George's Community College; Stevenson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland University College; and Wor-Wic Community College.
Maryland also participates in the Academic Common Market, an education consortium of sixteen southern states. Reduced tuition is offered to students who attend schools out of state because their program is not available at a public in-state college or university. States who participate with Maryland in this program are: Alabama; Arkansas; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; North Carolina (graduate programs); Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; and West Virginia.
Postgraduate professional degree programs are offered by: University of Baltimore (law); University of Maryland, Baltimore (dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy); University of Maryland, College Park (veterinary medicine); and The Johns Hopkins University (medicine)
Scholarships & Savings Plans. To further education in Maryland, the State provides numerous assistance and scholarship options for college. The College Savings Plans of Maryland Board oversees the College Savings Plans of Maryland, including the Maryland Prepaid College Trust, and the Maryland College Investment Plan. Assistance also is offered through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Within the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Office is responsible for all State student financial aid programs.
![[photo, U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i002917a.jpg)
In Annapolis, the U.S. Naval Academy is a federal institution. Founded in 1845, the Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Each academic year, over 4,000 midshipmen enroll there as full-time students. After four years, graduating midshipmen are granted a Bachelor of Science degree and are required to serve in the U.S. armed services for five years.
U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, Maryland, April 1999. Photo by Diane P. Frese.
? Copyright Maryland State Archives