Best Online Colleges in Maryland

Benefits of Studying Online in Maryland

The Free State of Maryland has been a leader in providing education opportunities to students of all backgrounds for generations. With more than 6.1 million inhabitants, the Old Line State ranks as the 18th most populous state in the country, and on the move up with a population growth rate of 3.2% since 2021. Maryland has a rich and diverse history, with much of it centered in the capital of Annapolis, located on the Chesapeake Bay. This city serves as the home of the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as many government offices. It's also the largest city in Maryland, befitting the state's maritime culture.

Employment Stats

Maryland is also the 22nd largest employer, providing work to more than 2.7 million people and accounting for just over 1.8% of the nation's workforce. That number has grown over 2.2%, the 42nd fastest rate of any state, since 2021 when the state employed 2.7 million. Moreover, employment in Maryland is far above the median state with an additional 756,000 people employed than the median (accounting for a difference of 38% year-over-year).

The Old Line State just narrowly defeated South Carolina (which had 2.2 million employees), providing 487,000 more jobs (21.66% more). It was also slightly lower than Colorado, which ranked 21st with 2.9 million persons employed (Maryland had 167,000 fewer jobs with a difference % of 5.8%). Meanwhile, the state with the most employed persons was California, with a massive 15.6 million workers in total - a staggering difference of %85 from Maryland's total employed population.

Job Opportunities

The state of Maryland has a healthy and diverse job market with a number of unique positions available. The state has 745 different types of occupations, which puts Maryland at the 19th slot and is nearly 3% above the national median of 722 unique occupations across the nation. This signifies that Maryland has a few extra options in terms of unique job pathways that you may not find in other states, which could be especially useful for recent grads or those looking to switch careers.

When it comes to universities, Maryland has some of the nation’s best. Johns Hopkins University is often touted as one of the world’s best, and the University of Maryland - College Park has a large student population (38,000) and also ranks among the nation’s best. Additionally, both the University of Maryland - Baltimore and the University of Maryland - Baltimore County are both highly respected and offer numerous unique opportunities.

Overall, Maryland remains a very competitive state when it comes to labor opportunities due to its strong population size and deep roots of academic excellence. The state is also home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Under Armour, Marriott International, and Lockheed Martin. Also, with its vibrant culture, unique history, and strong labor force, Maryland could very well be a great option for someone studying online.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)