Navigating the Graduate Program Scene

Remember when you were deciding which college or university to attend for your undergraduate degree? Most likely, everywhere you looked, your high school was providing you with tons of information. A lot of consideration went into your choice: location, cost, programs (if you knew what you wanted to major in), and more.

But now you’re thinking of graduate school, and you’re not sure where to begin.

Not a problem, says Brian Gallagher, assistant dean of graduate enrollment and director of graduate admission at Loyola University in Maryland. The first thing you need to do, though, is ask yourself some questions.

“The first question I tell everybody who’s considering a graduate degree to ask themselves is, how is this going to help you in your chosen career path? Graduate degrees are a means to an end, and that end is ultimately career advancement. They’re not an end in and of themselves. They’re not a default option either,” Gallagher explains. “In the past, we’ve seen a lot of students coming out of undergraduate degree programs, and they’re not certain exactly what they want to do. They’re a little anxious sometimes about the prospect of entering the career field that they’re considering, or really the job pool in general. And so, they tend to think of graduate school as sort of a default—I don’t know what I’m going to do, so I’ll go to grad school.”

He stresses, “That’s not the right use of grad school.”

Anyone thinking about attending graduate school, he says, should have a clear outcome in mind regarding how a particular graduate degree or certificate is going to help them advance in their career—whether that means in becoming an administrator or seeking a higher salary.

“You need to know what that planned outcome is because that’s what’s going to help drive your decisions about what degree you’re looking for, what school you want to attend, the kind of modality you’re interested in—in-person, online, or a hybrid,” says Gallagher. “Graduate school is a significant investment of time, effort, energy, and money, and to know what the outcome is is critical to anybody who’s considering starting a graduate degree program.”

The Types of Degrees and Tests Needed

If you’ve already begun researching graduate school, you may know that there are different types of degrees. But it’s easier than you’d think to know which one is for you.

“The difference in the types of graduate degrees is really in the level of education, and then how that end credential is designed to help aid the student in a specific career field. For example, somebody who’s seeking entry into a research or a higher-ed teaching profession may be inclined to pursue a Ph.D. But a student who’s seeking a leg up in a new career, or is transitioning into a new field, may seek a master’s degree. For those who are looking to refresh an old skill set or add a new skill set, they may choose to pursue a certificate. So, really, it’s a distinction of outcomes, as well as the level of education that they’ll be completing,” says Gallagher.

The various degrees will also take longer or shorter times to earn. A doctoral degree is going to take longer than a master’s degree, which is going to take longer than a certificate program. As for tests needed before applying, Gallagher says that for a medical degree, you must take the MCAT and a law degree the LSAT and sometimes even the GRE.

“In recent years, though, many schools have phased out standardized exams, particularly the GRE,” he says. “Some of us, myself included, who have been in the graduate field for a long time have always been advocates of what we call holistic graduate admissions—which means looking at the student as a whole and not reducing them down to a series of test scores.”

So be sure to see what requirements your graduate program has for applying to see if you need to take particular standardized tests—as opposed to just taking them. You may not need to.

“Application requirements can vary widely from one graduate program to another. They can include a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation—whether academic or professional,” says Gallagher.

Some programs, for example, require interviews with prospective graduate students.

These tend to be ones in which the students will be going into clinical practice or working directly with people or patients/clients one-on-one after they earn their degree.

Do Your Research

Gallagher suggests that once you’ve decided what type of graduate degree will help you the most, that you check out the U.S. News & World Report rankings, look on gradschools.com, and even google specific programs or schools.

“I encourage students to pore over the information on websites, which will give you a wonderful overview of what the given graduate program has to offer, the faculty involved, the student experience, and more,” he says.

Fill out an inquiry form so that the program can send you more information or invite you to information sessions and other events.

Maryland’s Robust Grad School Landscape

If you want to study in-person and in our fair state, Gallagher says that the graduate school landscape in Maryland is extremely robust.

“That’s owing to both the vast assortment of graduate degree offerings as well as the wide array of higher-education experiences we have available here. We have colleges/universities that are large, small, and everything in between. We’ve got research universities, public and private, as well as specialized colleges providing training in specific fields. We’ve got four HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities], and more,” he says.

Gallagher adds, “Maryland has a long and respected history in higher education. We have a lot to offer prospective students, across a vast array of graduate school experiences. Whether they’re students coming right out of undergrad or working professionals. We have a lot of different experiences for students to choose from.”

ANNUAL COLLEGE GUIDE

If you’re looking for more information on the college search, look no further. Here’s our guide to regional schools that includes everything you need to know to start making informed decisions. As an added bonus, most of the schools featured offer graduate programs.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University in Prince George’s County began with a mission to provide educational opportunities for Black citizens and, more than a century after opening, has consistently ranked among the best HBCUs in the country, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as specialty certificates and doctoral programs. It also has a solid reputation for being one of the best values around.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 5,288*
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 16:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $9,217 in-state, $19,937 out-of-state**
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 87 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business Administration and Management; Criminal Justice/ Safety Studies; Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences; Biology/Biological Sciences; Design and Visual Communications; Sociology; Social Work; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.***

COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY
A historically Black institution founded in 1900, Coppin State University is situated in the heart of Baltimore City in the Mondawmin neighborhood. Part of the University System of Maryland in Baltimore, the school offers numerous undergraduate, graduate, and certificate degrees. It’s been rated in the Top 50 Best HBCUs in the Nation (College Consensus), the Top 5 Best Value Online Schools in Maryland (Online School Center), and No. 7 Best Colleges in Maryland by Salary Score (GradReports).

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1810 undergraduates
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 11:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $7,100 in-state, $14,023 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 50 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies; Business Administration and Management, General; Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Early Childhood Education and Teaching; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Social Work; and Social Sciences

FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
For those who want to escape to the Appalachian Mountains while still benefitting from the low cost of in-state tuition, Frostburg State University in Western Maryland offers more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, as well as miles of wilderness areas nearby to explore.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 3,344
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 13:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $10,220 in-state • $ 25,814 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 89 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Economics, Nursing, Business Administration and Management

GOUCHER COLLEGE
A private, liberal arts college spanning 287 wooded acres in Towson, Goucher College takes pride in its close-knit community and leadership in global education. One hundred percent of Goucher students study abroad, and the college offers more than 60 flexible programs around the world for students to develop international experience.

Goucher has continually ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s best and most innovative national liberal arts college, best for undergraduate teaching, and one of its most innovative schools.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 965
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 9:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $53,350
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 75 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Psychology; Social Sciences; English Language and Literature/Letters; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Visual and Performing Arts; Natural Resources and Conservation; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

HOOD COLLEGE
This private institution founded in 1893 is located within walking distance of downtown Frederick, a great college town, with the advantage of close proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It excels in graduate programs in business, STEM, the humanities, health care, and education. Its African American studies program just marked its 30th anniversary. U.S. News & World Report ranks it 21st in best value schools.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,209
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 11:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $47,700
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 78 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Management, Marketing; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting; Psychology; Education; Social Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Health Professions; and Visual and Performing Arts

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) offers nine academic divisions and hundreds of courses of study, with campuses spread throughout Baltimore, including the Peabody Institute, a music and dance conservatory in Mount Vernon. Its main Homewood campus is located on North Charles Street. It currently ranks sixth in the U.S. News & World Report ranking of best colleges and universities. It also has a top ranked doctorate program in engineering.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 6,090
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 6:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $65,230
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 8 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology; Computer and Information Sciences; Public Health; Neuroscience; Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Music Performance; Mathematics; and International Relations and Affairs.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND
This private, Jesuit institution offers undergraduate and graduate programs on a beautiful urban campus on 81 acres in northern Baltimore City. Education at Loyola is based in the Jesuit tradition of scholarship, cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Loyola is known for its academic rigor, while helping students lead purposeful lives. Seventy percent of students study abroad, and the school currently ranks sixth in “Best Regional Universities in the North,” according to U.S. News & World Report.
• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 3,987
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 12:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $57,150
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 76 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Management, Marketing, Journalism, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, English Language and Literature, Engineering and Social Sciences

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART (MICA)
Located in the heart of Baltimore, MICA is the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation. According to U.S. News & World Report, it ranks among one of the top schools for its fine arts, graphic design, painting, drawing, and sculpture programs. MICA also offers graduate level degree programs including Master of Fine Art, Master of Business Administration Art, and Master of Professional Studies. According to its website, MICA offers, “education and experience that will prepare you to be a creative leader in the 21st century.”
• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,694
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 9:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $55,150 undergraduate
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 80 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Graphic Design, Illustration, Multimedia, Painting, Fine Arts

McDANIEL COLLEGE
Founded in 1867, McDaniel College sits in a bucolic setting near Westminster in Carroll County. The private, four-year liberal arts college offers more than 70 undergraduate programs of study and more than 20 graduate programs. A recent addition to McDaniel’s curriculum is a National Security Fellows Program that provides students with knowledge, skills, and experience in national security, along with the ability to specialize in an area of interest, such as interstate conflict, intrastate political violence, cybersecurity, ethics, and human rights. McDaniel earned a spot as the top-ranked Maryland institution on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Value Schools” list among regional universities in the North for academic quality and affordability. The college also ranked as one of the “Best Regional Universities in the North” in their “Best Colleges” rankings for 2022-2023.
• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,665
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 13:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $52,801
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 82 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business Administration and Management; Psychology; Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness; Environmental Studies; Political Science and Government; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Accounting; Social Work; Biology/Biological Sciences; and Speech Communication

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
The largest of Maryland’s HBCUs, Morgan is a public institution founded in 1867. It is situated in northeast Baltimore. As a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution, Morgan provides instruction to a multiethnic, multiracial, multinational student body and offers more than 140 academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Recently, Morgan launched the state’s first bachelor of science degree in cloud computing.

As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan fulfills its mission to address the needs and challenges of the modern urban environment through intense community level study and pioneering solutions.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 8,300
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 17:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $8,229 for in-state and $19,124 for out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 85 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Civil Engineering, Communications Engineering, Business Administration and Management, Social Work, Biology/Biological Sciences, Architecture, Finance, Psychology, Sociology

MOUNT SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Located in rural, mountainous Emmitsburg on a massive 1,500-acre campus, “The Mount” is America’s second oldest Catholic university. It offers more than 80 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations and special programs grounded in a Catholic liberal arts tradition, and several bachelor’s/master’s combinations in partnership with other universities. It’s a degree that pays; The Mount ranks in the top 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide in terms of the long-term earnings for a four-year college degree. As an extra bonus, the school offers a rich NCAA division I athletic program.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,873
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 13:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $48,630
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 72 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Communication, Journalism, Education, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, and Health Professions

NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY
A private, Catholic liberal arts university in northern Baltimore, Notre Dame of Maryland University offers programs ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. The beautiful, wooded campus is just steps from the bustling downtown Baltimore culture. With values rooted in Catholicism, the school focuses on service to others and social responsibility.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 686
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 8:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $43,360
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 83 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Nursing, Psychology, Biology, Criminology, Business Administration

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE
This petite college tucked into historic downtown Annapolis is the third oldest college in the U.S. It ranks high as a national liberal arts powerhouse as well as a best value school and best for undergraduate teaching. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs are based in a unique books and discussion-based format where students study original writings of great thinkers across 3,000 years of history.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 484
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 7:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $40,684
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 44 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND
A state institution founded in 1840, St. Mary’s College of Maryland was recently ranked number five as a top public school by U.S. News & World Report. Located on 361 acres in rural Southern Maryland, it is also known for having one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the U.S. While its waterfront campus in historic St. Mary’s has the feel of a private institution, it offers all the affordability, accessibility, and diversity of a public school.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,601
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 10:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $15,236 in-state, $ 31,312 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 75 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Social Sciences, Psychology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Natural Resources and Conservation, English Language and Literature/Letters, Visual and Performing Arts, Computer and Information Sciences, History, Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY
For those who want to be close to the ocean, Salisbury University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs at its campus in Salisbury, about a 40-minute drive from Ocean City. It is known for its strong sense of community and ranked #18 in U.S. News & World Report’s list of top public schools. A public institution, Salisbury is a NCAA Division III Capital Athletic Conference school.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 6,281
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 14:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $11,084 in-state • $ 22,174 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 89 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Management, Marketing, Education, Communication, Journalism, Psychology, Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Health Professions, Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Social Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY
Stevenson University is a liberal arts school on a suburban campus in Baltimore County. It offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and preprofessional programs, as well as its bachelor’s to master’s option, which allows students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The school is growing, having recently opened a 117-acre recreational and athletic hub on its Owings Mills campus.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 3,028
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 15:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $40,560
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 83 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Health Professions, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Education, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, and Legal Professions and Studies

TOWSON UNIVERSITY
One of the largest public universities in the state, Towson University offers more than 110 undergraduate majors, 47 master’s degrees, six doctoral programs, and 36 graduate certificates. The university continues to draw students from other states, though it remains part of the University System of Maryland. The school has received numerous accolades including being ranked as the top public university in Maryland by The Wall Street Journal. Towson made recent investments in renovations to its College of Fine Arts & Communication’s infrastructure, a new Maryland Center for Community Schools, programs supporting cyber AI in the workforce, and a new hub for humanity and tolerance within the College of Liberal Arts—the only Holocaust education center in Maryland. Our favorite investment, though, is in Bruno, a chocolate lab who became the campus therapy dog in 2024.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 16, 517 undergraduate, 3,137 graduate
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 15:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $11,728 in-state, $ 29,820 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 83 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Management, Education, Nursing, Psychology, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Journalism, Communication, Visual and Performing Arts

UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE
The University of Baltimore is situated in Mount Vernon, a Baltimore neighborhood rich in art, architecture, and history. UB has gained a solid reputation for its law and business programs, but it offers a wide spectrum of undergraduate and graduate degrees and doctoral programs, with an intense focus on connecting students to community and jobs, ensuring a sustainable career path post-graduation.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 1,292 undergraduate
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 10:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $9,92 in-state, $23,984 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 74 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Business, Animation/Video Graphics/Special Effects, Criminal Justice/Police Science, Human Services, American Government and Politics

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the state’s only public law, health, and human services university. Located in downtown Baltimore, it offers 90 degree and certificate programs through its six nationally-ranked professional schools—dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work—and the interdisciplinary School of Graduate Studies.

The school’s 14-acre BioPark is Baltimore’s biggest biotechnology cluster, employing more than 1,000 people in nearly three dozen life science companies, university-based startups. With more than 250,000 square feet of lab and office space, the BioPark has been named an Outstanding University Research Park of the Year by the Association for University Research Parks. It’s located in the heart of the university’s medical campus.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 5,676 professional/graduate; 960 undergraduate
• ANNUAL TUITION: Varies by program
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY (UMBC)
UMBC educates a student population of more than 10,000 students in programs spanning the arts, engineering, information technology, humanities, sciences, preprofessional studies, and social sciences. Located on the edge of Baltimore County, it allows easy access into the city and all the conveniences of suburban life and housing. UMBC is recognized as a diverse campus with a size that is large enough to provide a wealth of experience without being so large as to reduce personal attention.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 10,490 undergraduate students, 3,139 graduate students
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 18:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $13,256 in-state, $31,225 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 74 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts, Engineering

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, EASTERN SHORE
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the State’s Historically Black 1890 LandGrant Institution, is a teaching, research, and doctoral institution that nurtures and launches leaders in a student-centered environment.
Located on over 1,000 acres in Princess Anne, UMES was ranked among one of the top HBCU’s by U.S. News & World Report in 2020. It is home to many unique programs and partnerships in health sciences, agricultural and environmental sciences, and renewable energy research and implementation, including a novel, three-year accelerated Pharmacy program and the UMES Coastal Ecology Teaching and Research Center, which plays a significant role in the diversification of the workforce of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• SIZE OF STUDENT BODY: 2,233
• STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO: 10:1
• ANNUAL TUITION: $9,076 in-state, $20,122 out-of-state
• ACCEPTANCE RATE: 88 percent
• POPULAR AREAS OF STUDY: Pharmacy, Criminal Justice, Biology, Physical Therapy, Sociology, Kinesiology, Business Administration and Management, Hotel/Motel Administration

* Student body size is undergraduate unless otherwise noted.
**Cited tuition costs may exclude room and board, books, and other fees.
***School data sourced from U.S. News & World Report.