Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Maryland (2026)
16 nursing programs at Maryland schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is University of Maryland — Baltimore's RN to BSN at $11,400 total. Online programs from 40 more out-of-state schools also enroll Maryland residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Maryland tuition
- Tuition at Maryland schools and campuses ranges from $11,400 to $240,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Maryland nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $11,400 |
| Lincoln College of TechnologyLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months | On Campus | 11 mo | $18,000 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $25,920 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $31,000 |
| Lincoln College of TechnologyADNOn Campus · 21 months | On Campus | 21 mo | $32,000 |
Partner programs in Maryland.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
Sponsored · Disclosure
More Maryland nursing programs by tuition
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $46,800 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $54,000 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $58,000 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 13 months | On Campus | 13 mo | $65,000 |
| Chamberlain UniversityBSN (Pre-Licensure)On Campus · 36 months | On Campus | 36 mo | $69,000 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $75,000 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityDNPOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $88,000 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimorePhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $95,000 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $150,000 |
| Johns Hopkins UniversityBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $240,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Maryland residents
These schools are based outside Maryland but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,200 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Maryland
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Maryland is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Maryland state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Maryland’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Maryland Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
Above the 6% national average — strong hiring conditions for new graduates.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Maryland grants full independent practice to NPs — no physician oversight required, maximizing earning potential for MSN/DNP graduates.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Maryland nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Maryland often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Maryland include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Maryland grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Maryland
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Maryland
Maryland is a full-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Maryland
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Maryland.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Maryland?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Maryland with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Maryland as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Maryland?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Maryland?
Compare nursing programs in Maryland
- All nursing programs in Maryland
- Online nursing programs in MarylandPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in MarylandPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in MarylandSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Maryland
- ADN programs in MarylandAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in MarylandFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.