At the center of the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area lies Maryland, the Free State. A symbol of political freedom and four HBCUs, all of them were established during or before the year 1900. Located in Baltimore, Bowie and Salisbury, these Maryland-based universities, like many of their counterparts, are publicly supported. They have a combined annual economic impact of over $1 billion. Together, they’ve also created over 10,000 jobs for the areas local to the institutions. The history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have taught us that creating opportunities and environments that champion higher education for Black students is not only fruitful for admitted youth but for surrounding communities. Here are the four HBCUs in Maryland.
Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU), named after its home city, was the first HBCU in Maryland (1865). Located in Prince George’s County, BSU is in the northeastern region of the state. The university offers programs in computer science, communication, nursing and sports management. Tuition ranges between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on if the student is a full-time resident of the state. In 2022–2023, the U.S. News & World Report named Bowie State as a top 20 HBCU and a Top 50 Public HBCU.
Morgan State University
Located in Baltimore, Morgan State University was founded in the state’s capital in 1867. It is one of two HBCUs that call “Charm City” home. This Baltimore County university provides students with programs ranging from accounting and biology to theater arts and transportation systems. Students can also achieve certification that would allow them to teach music in a public school setting. These programs exist among over 140 academic programs, including a doctoral university that supports high-research activity and has a similar tuition cost to that of BSU.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
The location of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is self-explanatory: located in the eastern shore area of the Old Line State. In a state characterized by military history, U of MES sits at the eastside of the Chesapeake Bay, in Salisbury, Maryland. It was founded in 1886 and offers degrees in accounting, finance, marketing and urban forestry. Known for its rigorous finance program, the university also has a comparable tuition to that of BSU and MSU. U of MES was also named a Top 20 HBCU by the U.S News.
Coppin State University
As the second HBCU founded in Baltimore, Coppin State University is located in the northwest section of Maryland. In 1900, this university was erected, serving as a teacher training school. They now, also, offer a master’s comprehensive program, in addition to programs in biology, chemistry, dance and history. Known for its programs in the sciences, the tuition cost is similar to that of BSU, MSU and U of MES. They’ve also developed a focus on offering community outreach to local neighborhoods.
Do you have any family or friends that are alumni from these HBCUs in Maryland? Let us know if you plan to visit any of their campuses or attend their programs. Rooting for you and wishing you well on your academic journey.
