The Top Nursing Schools in Maryland
- Top Schools and Programs
- How to Choose a Program
- Why Become a Nurse
- Salary Outlook
- State Nursing Requirements
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: David Shvartsman / Moment / Getty ImagesMaryland is home to many excellent universities, including Johns Hopkins University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. The state also offers many smaller private and public schools.
This guide outlines the best nursing programs in Maryland for registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), explores how to earn a Maryland nursing license, and provides information on nursing salaries.
Keep reading to learn more about becoming a nurse in Maryland, or go straight to our list of the best nursing schools in Maryland or our list of the best nurse practitioner programs in Maryland.
The Best Nursing Schools in Maryland
The right nursing program for you depends on your background, experience, and career goals. Because accreditation is vital to program quality and meeting your career goals, this guide only lists accredited programs.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Maryland, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Home to one of the top nursing schools in Maryland, Johns Hopkins University offers a full spectrum of nursing programs. Options include master's-level programs, post-master's certificates, and doctoral degrees.
Specializations include organizational leadership, psychiatric mental health, nurse practice, nurse anesthesia, and nursing education. Johns Hopkins students can choose to earn a concurrent MBA.
- Programs: MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing, and post-master's certificates
- Campus: Baltimore, Maryland
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $52,300-$65,000 per year full-time MSN, $39,900-$50,760 doctorate, $21,480-$29,755 post-master's certificate
- Admission Requirements: All applicants need prerequisite degree/coursework (depending on program) completed at a regionally accredited institution. MSN entry-into-nursing track applicants need a B- or higher. MSN specialties or doctorate applicants need a B or higher.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Programs offered on-campus and online
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $95,359 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$54,160
- Out-of-state$54,160
- In-State$57,010
- Out-of-state$57,010
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled28,890
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Towson University
- Towson, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Towson University's options for nursing students include a traditional BSN and an RN-to-BSN bridge program.
TU also offers an associate-to-bachelor nursing track in partnership with community college nursing programs in Maryland. The school's second bachelor's degree and MSN options may appeal to career changers.
- Programs: Associate-to-bachelor nursing dual enrollment, BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN
- Campus: Towson, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $3,550 per term in-state, $11,076 out-of-state for full-time undergraduate; $460 per credit in-state, $952 out-of-state for graduate
- Admission Requirements:
- Associate-to-bachelor: A 3.0 cumulative GPA and prerequisites in general chemistry, nutrition, and microbiology with a 2.0
- BSN: 42 undergraduate credits, lab science and English composition prerequisites, and TEAS scores
- RN-to-BSN: An associate degree or diploma in nursing; RN license; 2.5 cumulative GPA; and prerequisites in general chemistry, nutrition, and microbiology with a 2.0
- MSN: A bachelor's degree, 3.0 cumulative GPA, and prerequisite statistics and science courses
- Minimum Time Commitment: 5 terms
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.8% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $66,984 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$6,962
- Out-of-state$21,098
- In-State$7,902
- Out-of-state$16,344
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled21,917
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Salisbury University
- Salisbury, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
With one of the most diverse offerings of nursing programs in Maryland, Salisbury University's options span both undergraduate and graduate levels. Options include a traditional or second BSN, an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN, an MSN-nurse educator or MSN-healthcare leadership, and a DNP.
- Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, and DNP
- Campus: Salisbury, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition:
- On-campus: $10,396 per year in-state, $20,872 out-of-state for full-time undergraduate; $9,558 per year in-state, $15,678 out-of-state for full-time graduate
- Online: $420 per credit in-state, $760 out-of-state for MSN; $665 in-state, $840 out-of-state for DNP
- Admission Requirements: University admission; prerequisites or degree (depending on track); RN license for RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, and DNP; and a 3.0-3.5 GPA for MSN and DNP
- Minimum Time Commitment: 3 semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.3% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $63,267 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,264
- Out-of-state$17,330
- In-State$8,769
- Out-of-state$13,599
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled8,124
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Frederick Community College
- Frederick, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Frederick Community College's nursing programs include a practical nursing (PN) certificate and an ADN. FCC also partners with nursing schools in Maryland for RNs to earn their bachelor's.
FCC's transition-to-RN track provides students with military medical experience, paramedics, and licensed PNs an accelerated path to an ADN.
- Programs: PN certificate, ADN, transition-to-RN, and BSN university partnerships
- Campus: Frederick, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for ADN program
- Tuition: $129 per credit in-county, $282 in-state, $382 out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Applicants need college-level English and math or placement tests, CPR training, a background check, and TEAS exam scores. Prerequisite classes for clinical rotations include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.1% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,516 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$6,720
- Out-of-state$9,096
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,756
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Harford Community College
- Bel Air, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Harford Community College offers two nursing tracks: a traditional or accelerated ADN and an LPN-to-RN transition program. Both options prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
The curriculum includes clinical experiences and coursework in fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, mental health nursing, pediatric nursing, and leadership.
- Programs: LPN-to-RN and ADN
- Campus: Bel Air, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $133 per credit in-county, $226 in-state, $319 out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: A minimum 58.7 TEAS score, 16 college credits with a 2.5 GPA and completed prerequisites, and a criminal background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 4 semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.4% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,582 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,427
- Out-of-state$7,664
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,256
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
Carroll Community College
- Westminster, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Aspiring RNs can earn their ADN at Carroll Community College, one of many nursing schools in Maryland that prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Carroll also offers ADN tracks for licensed practical nurses, paramedics, and military medics. Other programs lead to a practical nursing (PN) certificate. Carroll partners with nursing programs in Maryland to offer an associate-to-bachelor nursing dual degree.
- Programs: PN certificate, ADN, and BSN university partnerships
- Campus: Westminster, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $136 per credit in-county, $225 in-state, $288 out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: A high school diploma or GED certificate, 2.5-3.0 GPA, prerequisite courses, and NLN-PAX exam scores
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.2% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,288 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,232
- Out-of-state$6,672
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,060
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
College of Southern Maryland
- La Plata, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
The College of Southern Maryland's nursing programs include an ADN, practical nursing (PN) certificate, and two transition-to-ADN options. The transition programs tailored to LPNs and military medics/corpsmen help them earn their ADN faster.
ADN graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam for their RN license and PN certificate-holders can take the NCLEX-PN exams to become LPNs.
- Programs: PN certificate, ADN, and transition-to-ADN
- Campus: La Plata, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $134-$235 per credit in-state, $301 out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: A high school diploma or GED certificate, 2.0 GPA, prerequisites or college placement tests, and a 59% TEAS exam score
- Minimum Time Commitment: 14 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 77.8% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,641 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,496
- Out-of-state$7,056
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled6,164
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Anne Arundel Community College
- Arnold, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Anne Arundel Community College awards practical nursing (PN) certificates and ADNs. ADN pathways serve prelicensure students; transfer students; and LPNs, paramedics, and military veterans.
AACC prepares nurses to provide evidence-based, holistic, safe, and systematic care. The programs build on a foundation of cultural diversity, humanities, nursing theory, and sciences.
- Programs: PN certificate and ADN
- Campus: Arnold, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $120 per credit in-county, $253 in-state, $408 out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Prerequisite coursework, TEAS exam scores, a criminal background check, and CPR certification
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.5% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,756 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,230
- Out-of-state$12,240
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,948
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Hood College
- Frederick, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Hood College's BSN program prepares graduates to become licensed as RNs. The curriculum blends a liberal arts foundation with nursing coursework. Classes emphasize communication, critical thinking, leadership, nursing theory, and research and evidence-based practice. The program director and nursing faculty arrange students' clinical placements.
- Program: BSN
- Campus: Frederick, Maryland
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $42,510 per year
- Admission Requirements: Applicants submit high school transcripts and an admission essay. Optional materials include test scores, an interview, recommendations, a resume, writing samples, or an online portfolio.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 4 years
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.3% first-time pass rate
- In-State$41,680
- Out-of-state$41,680
- In-State$8,820
- Out-of-state$8,820
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled2,042
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Hagerstown Community College
- Hagerstown, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Hagerstown Community College offers two routes to becoming an RN: a traditional ADN and transition programs for LPNs, paramedics, and military veterans.
Enrollees can complete their studies in three years or do the more rigorous two-year program. HCC also partners with two nursing schools in Maryland to offer an associate-to-bachelor track.
- Programs: ADN and BSN through university partnership
- Campus: Hagerstown, Maryland
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $123 per credit in-county, $192 in-state, $236 neighboring states, $252 other states
- Admission Requirements: SAT, AP, and TEAS exam scores; nursing program preview attendance; official transcripts; prerequisite science courses; 2.0 cumulative GPA; and 2.5 prerequisites GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.6% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,218 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,760
- Out-of-state$7,560
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,433
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Maryland
Factors to consider when choosing a nursing program in Maryland include tuition and costs, financial aid, the curriculum, the NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the program format. If you attend an online nursing program in Maryland, find out about clinical placement in your community.
Why Become a Nurse in Maryland
While most nurses in Maryland live and work in Baltimore, nurses also find employment in rural communities and small towns with close access to big city attractions. The number of nursing jobs in Maryland is projected to grow 22.3% between 2018 and 2028, more than three times faster than the national projection of 7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. Attending nursing school in Maryland and receiving a Maryland license permits you to practice nursing in any other participating states.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Maryland
Almost 32,000 RNs and more than 2,000 NPs work in the Baltimore area alone. While the BLS projects 22.3% growth in nursing jobs between 2018 and 2028, the government expects a surplus of 12,100 nurses from 2014-2030. Because Maryland is an NLC state, though, attending nursing school in Maryland is still a good investment, especially if you attend one of the top-rated programs.
Maryland is one of the more expensive states, with a cost-of-living index of 121.4, compared to the national index of 100. However, the median salary for an RN in Maryland is $79,810, compared to $75,330 nationally. For NPs, the median salary is $112,730, compared to $111,680. Learn more about RN salaries in Maryland.
Nursing salaries in Maryland are highest in the Baltimore area, the home of Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore earned its nickname “Charm City” through its many neighborhoods, including Hampden, known as one of America’s quirkiest communities, and its stock of 19th- and even 18th-century housing. Smaller communities also feature a sense of history and charm.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Median Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $80,120 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $76,640 |
| Salisbury | $73,340 |
| Cumberland | $72,130 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Maryland
All states require earning a nursing degree, passing the NCLEX-RN examination, and applying to the state board of nursing for a license. The application should include a passport-style photo. You must also pass a criminal background check and prove that you do not owe child support payments or have a tax hold.
RN Requirements
To earn your RN license in Maryland, you must graduate from an associate degree in nursing ADN or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) nursing program in Maryland or another state, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and apply to the state board of nursing. You must also submit your fingerprints for a criminal background check and may not owe child support or outstanding taxes. The board of nursing’s website has the full application forms and requirements.
APRN Requirements
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you need a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and have either a current RN license (either Maryland or NLC) or apply for one. If you did not graduate from an approved school, you can ask your school to apply for approval.
The state board of nursing requires a declaration of residence, sealed official transcripts, and proof of your board certification or eligibility to take the examination. Your transcript must show completed coursework in advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment. The state board of nursing website includes full application information and forms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Maryland
Are nurses in demand in Maryland?
In Maryland, the number of nursing jobs is projected to grow 22.3% between 2018 and 2028. The BLS even projects a surplus of 12,100 nurses from 2014-2030. However, nurses with diplomas from the top nursing programs in Maryland will continue to be in demand.
How do I become a nurse in Maryland?
You must earn an ADN or a BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, submit your fingerprints for a criminal background check, and submit an application to the state board of nursing. You may not owe child support or have outstanding taxes.
How long does it take to get a Maryland RN license?
An ADN takes two years to complete, and a BSN takes four years. While an ADN is faster and tuition is less expensive, a growing number of employers require or prefer a BSN for higher-level positions. There are excellent nursing schools in Maryland for both ADNs and BSNs.
Is the University of Maryland a good nursing school?
The University of Maryland NCLEX-RN pass rate is above the state average, an indicator that it is one of the better nursing schools in Maryland. Choosing the right program for your needs also depends on tuition, the curriculum, program structure, and the ability to get clinical placement in your community.
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