Maryland State is home to some of the largest research universities in the nation. In addition to these large research universities, Maryland also sports small liberal arts colleges and the US Naval Academy.
Liberal Arts colleges are institutions that offer well-rounded education; learners are prepared to enter into many fields such as community service, communications, media, and social service. Studying at a liberal arts college allows students to delve into several fields before settling into one area of specialization.
This article features a list of the best liberal arts colleges in Maryland; if you are looking into pursuing your education at a liberal arts college in Maryland, explore this list and choose the college that suits you best.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland
1. Loyola University
Loyola University located in Baltimore with a student body of over 6,400 students offers one of the best liberal arts programs in Maryland. The institution combines the Jesuit Catholic principle with a comprehensive academic curriculum grounded in the liberal arts.
This university prepares students to graduate and professionals; undergraduate students can choose majors in data sciences, visual arts, global studies, and applied mathematics. The college also offers a bachelor’s program in communication with specialization tracks in advertising/public relations, digital media, and journalism.
The university offers an array of student clubs such as an art club, a global studies club, and a theology club. Students interested in athletics can join one of the university’s 18 NCAA-division I teams, as well as club and intramural sports.
First-year applicants are required to submit two recommendations, the Common Application, official high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer candidates need a minimum 2.7 GPA.
2. Mount St. Mary’s University
Mount St. Mary’s University located in Maryland is a liberal arts college with a student population of over 2,400. This institution offers bachelor’s degrees in theology, communication, international studies, and Spanish.
There are also several master’s programs offered at this college including a Master of Arts in Philosophical Studies. Programs offered at this college are rooted in the liberal arts and are offered from the Christian point of view. Students can participate in pilgrimage trips to locations like Montreal and Rome.
3. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Notre Dame of Maryland University offers its liberal arts education through the College of Arts and Letters. This college not only offers liberal arts studies but also provides core credits to all Notre Dame students.
The College of Arts and Letters offers students 70 majors and minors, as well as 30 graduate degrees. The majors offered at Notre Dame include Italian studies, gender studies, and neuroscience and behavior and some of the minors are data science and international development studies.
Notre Dame offers graduate degrees in humanities, arts, and social sciences. Students can become involved with campus ministry or the university’s Center for Social Concerns, among others.
4. Washington Adventist University
Washington Adventist University is one of the best liberal arts colleges in Maryland. The liberal arts education offered at this college is based on the ideals of Ellen White; these ideals instill a sense of purpose and service in students.
Washington Adventist also offers associate degrees in social science and some Bachelor’s degree programs in finance, social work, chemistry, and music education. Students can also pursue graduate degrees in nursing business leadership, health care administration, and religion. Washington Adventist has six national honor societies and a student government association, which allows membership to any student taking at least six credit hours. Worship activities at the university range from worship services on the 1st Friday of each month to Bible studies ministries.
5. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins is a very prominent university in the United States and the world in general. This university was founded in 1876 as the first research university in the U.S.; it is also very well known for its medical school.
JHU offers a wide range of high-quality programs in a variety of fields including international studies, engineering, and creative writing. Admission into John Hopkins University is competitive; applicants for undergraduate studies are required to submit an official application, school reports, two teacher evaluations, and ACT/SAT scores.
Applicants for graduate studies must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. The university also provides generous financial aid, awarding over $100 million in scholarships and grants in 2018. This college has notable alumni including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Virginia Apgar, Wolf Blitzer, Michael R. Bloomberg, Rachel Carson, and Wes Craven.
6. St. John’s College
St. John’s College operates two campuses in Annapolis and Santa Fe. It is a liberal arts college well known for its reading and seminar-style discussion classes and Great Books curriculum. Students engage in language. Students gain comprehensive knowledge in every core subject through works of literature chosen from periods across Western civilization.
St. John’s University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the nation. The liberal arts program offered at this college helps students develop their independent and critical thinking skills through its discussion-based curriculum.
7. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Maryland, Baltimore County is a well-known university that offers a combination of liberal arts studies and the rigor of a leading research university. This college comprises seven colleges and schools, the university emphasizes STEM programs, as well as public policy and human services, while offering a strong liberal arts foundation.
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