Best Community Colleges in Maryland of 2023

Located in Westminster, Maryland, Carroll Community College offers small classes taught by faculty members who are experts in their field. The average class size is 20, allowing for individual attention from professors, 91 percent of whom have a master's degree or higher. Classes are offered at times convenient for students, including evenings, online, and Saturday. Classes feature transferable credits, making it easy for students to continue their education at a four-year institution following graduation. Carroll's staff works hard to ensure students have the support they need. Every credit student has access to both an academic advisor and a career counselor. An academic center offers free tutoring for all courses. For working professionals, Carroll has flexible non-credit vocational development and training programs, including resources for entrepreneurs and workforce development programs for businesses and employers.

Montgomery College is located in the heart of Rockville, Maryland, with locations in Germantown and Takoma Park, as well as several workforce development and continuing education centers throughout the state. A low student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and small classes mean that students get to know their instructors and can develop partnerships to foster growth and achievement. There is a comprehensive range of programs and areas of study, from accounting to world languages, including uncommon programs such as fire and emergency services, surgical technology, and computer gaming and simulation. Some programs are available as fully online degrees, including business management and education. Sixty-four certificate programs expand the offerings available for students and working professionals. There are more than 130 clubs, arts, athletics, and cultural groups to round out the student experience.

Frederick Community College, located in Frederick, Maryland, offers more than 85 degree and certificate programs, including credit, continuing education, and workforce development. Classes are offered in person and online during the day, evenings, and weekends. High school students can access college courses through FCC's Open Campus and High School-Based Dual Enrollment programs. Forty-one percent of FCC students graduate within a two-year window of time. Popular programs at the school include health sciences, STEM programs, business, and arts and humanities. FCC is especially known for its Hospitality, Culinary, and Tourism Institute, which offers baking and pastry arts programs, a culinary skills certificate, and an associate's degree in hospitality management.

Located on 350 scenic acres near Bel Air, Maryland, Harford has 140+ degree, certificate, and career and workforce programs available for its nearly 7,500 full- and part-time students. The diverse student body includes individuals from 22 countries as well as students from the local region. The student-faculty ratio is 25:1, and programs of study include STEM, health information technology, and paralegal studies. An honors program is available for students looking for an intellectual challenge, with graduates frequently transferring to prestigious institutions such as Georgetown University and the University of Maryland College Park. A dual enrollment program allows high school students to take classes at HCC, while the Biotech Pathways program, supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, opens the door to careers in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biofuels, and more.

Hagerstown Community College was founded in 1946 as the first community college in the state. It has an enrollment of nearly 5,000 credit students, 4,500 non-credit students, and 900+ area high school students. Two-thirds of HCC's students receive financial aid, with more than $500K awarded annually in student scholarships. HCC has eight academic divisions: Behavioral and Social Sciences/Business, Exercise Science and Health, and Technology and Computer Studies. Together they offer more than 100 programs available as credit and non-credit offerings. The Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education Division has courses for those who wish to upgrade their skills or advance their career via short-term training programs. Continuing education programs offer classes for personal enrichment, wellness, youth, and driver training.

Anne Arundel Community College was established in 1961 and is currently the largest single-campus community college in Maryland, with a combined enrollment of 26,000+ credit and non-credit students. AACC's Military/Veteran Resource Center offers assistance to prospective military, active-duty military, veterans, and their family members, with advisement, educational planning, financial aid consultation, and more. The college also offers services to those stationed at nearby Fort Meade. Their credit courses are sorted into 11 broad fields of interest: law and criminal justice, teacher education, and engineering and math. Job training programs are available in health and medical fields, real estate, food and beverage management, and more, while classes for personal enrichment range from floral design to personal finance.

The College of Southern Maryland offers classes to 18,000+ students at four regional campuses in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, and Hughesville. The student-faculty ratio is 17:1. Ninety-five percent of the faculty hold a master's or doctorate in their fields. CSM has more than 200 transfer admission agreements with 50+ four-year colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Maryland, Salisbury University, and George Mason University. CSM has three academic units: the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Professional and Technical Studies, and the School of Science and Health, which together offer more than 100 programs to credit students. Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs are available, including ESOL and GED preparation, as are workforce training and personal enrichment certificate programs.

Garrett College is located in western Maryland on the shores of Deep Creek Lake. Their proximity to the lake and rural location has led to two signature programs: Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Education and Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology. These are only two of the school's 35+ academic and workforce development programs, including addiction counseling, business administration, and cybersecurity. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and the average GPA of graduates is 3.25/4.0. Unlike many community colleges, Garret has two residence halls for students. Tuition is very reasonable, with Garrett County residents paying only $99 per credit hour, while out-of-area Maryland residents pay $285 per credit hour. Ninety percent of the students receive financial aid and scholarships.

Located in Wye Mills, Maryland, with a satellite campus in Cambridge, Chesapeake College offers eight career pathways in humanities, business, law, education, environmental studies, healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades. Within each of these paths are more than 70 major programs, as well as certificate programs, career training, non-credit workforce training, and lifelong learning. The college is supportive of dual enrollment programs with area high schools, allowing students to earn college credit while still attending high school. Dual enrollment students pay only 75 percent of the regular tuition and have the opportunity to experience college-level studies in CC's academic programs. Workforce development training programs are also available in skilled trades, education, and healthcare, and students in these areas are eligible for financial aid.

Howard Community College is located in Columbia, Maryland, with a satellite location in Laurel and a Training & Development Solutions Division that provides professional training opportunities to businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. It has an enrollment of 30,000+ students in credit, non-credit, and workforce development programs. HCC has more than 100 credit-bearing programs in topics that range from additive manufacturing technology to biomedical equipment specialists. HCC serves students from more than 100 countries, and they have extensive services to international students, including specialized advising, English language training, and resources for DACA, Maryland Dream Act, and undocumented students. HCC also offers assistance to adult learners, including childcare services, tutoring, and help for military members and veterans.