Maryland is ranked 19th in the U.S. in terms of population, with more than six million residents, but 42nd in geographical size. This tightly populated state has a few cities where its population is focused. Baltimore is the state’s biggest city, with roughly 621,000 citizens, followed by Columbia. The U.S. Naval Academy call the capital of Annapolis home. Maryland is located on the Atlantic coast and it contains the popular outdoor areas the Blue Ridge Mountains and Chesapeake Bay.
In Maryland, there are 57 accredited colleges and universities and 16 community colleges. The University System of Maryland consists of 12 colleges, and Maryland Online options consists of 20 member institutions offering online degrees. Students pursuing an online MBA in Maryland have a variety of schools to choose from. They can also benefit from the state’s strong economy and job market.
Consider an Online MBA in Maryland
Maryland has a highly educated population. According to the state’s department of commerce, over 38% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree, the 3rd highest percentage in the nation. More than 17% also have a postsecondary degree. Most of Maryland’s higher education institutions are in Baltimore, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Baltimore, Loyola University, and Morgan State University. The metro area has the highest median annual income in the country at $78,945. The high average salary is offset by the cost of living, Baltimore is 16% higher than the national average.
Lowering costs is one big factor for students on the hunt for MBA programs online. By taking classes online, students often save a substantial amount of cash on textbooks, commuting, and fees. Tuition is also lower for in-state students in most cases.
There are multiple choices for students seeking a Maryland online MBA. Tuition is sometimes based on credits instead of state residency, as with the school of business at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Flexible MBA. The state participates in the 15-member Academic Common Market, which affords in-state tuition costs to out-of-state students if their preferred program and its delivery method aren’t available in their state. Some schools have program-specific scholarships, like the University of Maryland’s University College’s Alumni Winter Term Scholarship, which grants up to $1,000 to alumni enrolling in an MBA program. Other financial aid and payment plans are available at many of the schools.
The Mason School of Business at William & Mary
Location:Williamsburg, VA
Length:24 – 36 Mos
Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University
Location:Santa Clara, CA
Length:24 Mos
California State University, Monterey Bay
Location:Seaside, CA
Length:18 – 24 Mos
Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics
Location:Seattle, WA
Length:30 Mos
University of Kansas School of Business
Location:Lawrence, KS
Length:27-36 Mos
MBA Concentrations for Students in Maryland
Healthcare, which employs tens of thousands of people through a variety of organizations statewide is Maryland’s largest industry. Major companies, both international and domestic, are also housed in-state. These companies actively add employment opportunities to the private. As a result, the following MBA specializations would best reward students planning to gain employment in Maryland post graduation. That said, online MBA Maryland students should pick the concentration that meets their interests and future career goals.
Maryland MBA Graduates Economy, Job, and Career Outlooks
Due to the close proximity to Washington, D.C., Maryland houses many federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. The state’s biggest industries are healthcare and social assistance, with Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the University of Maryland Medical System having around 24,000 employees each. Military and higher education institutions are also noteworthy state employers, and corporations like McCormick & Company and Under Armor are significant job producers. Maryland is home to roughly 168,000 businesses, with numerous in the tech and biosciences sectors.
With and unemployment rate around 3.8% the state has consistently remained below the national average in the recent past. Since the start of 2015 over 130,000 jobs have been added to the state’s economy, with an average of more than 2,000 new jobs each month. Online MBA Maryland graduates can look forward to abundant opportunities for employment in the state’s metro areas, namely Baltimore and Columbia. Good opportunities also exist in smaller cities where companies and major institutions are located.
Top Employers in Maryland
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott International | Hospitality | Bethesda | 10,400 |
| Northrup Grumman | Electronic Systems | Linthicum | 10,365 |
MBA Careers in Maryland:
Medical and Health Services Managers
These upper level employees manage operations of hospitals, medical offices, and healthcare practices. They are accountable for strategic planning, budgeting, regulation adherence, and general oversight of healthcare delivery and employees. The sector is forecast to grow quicker than others, at 20% between over the next 10 years. Healthcare is Maryland’s biggest employment field and employees can expect consistent wage increases. The median pay in Baltimore is over $56,000.
Human Resources Managers
HR Managers are accountable for employee recruitment, hiring, and retention, as well as benefits administration and serving as the employee liaison to the management team. This job market is predicted to grow at a typical rate and the median salary is over $67,000 in Baltimore.
Postsecondary Education Administrators
These employees direct certain operations at higher education institutions, such as admissions, academic departments, or registrar offices. The need for these administrators is increasing and is forecast to expand by 10% through 2026. Maryland has many higher education institutions that offer this career option. The recent median pay in Baltimore for this job is $65,039.
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
These professionals organize the advertising, marketing, and public relations strategies of organizations. They develop and execute strategic marketing plans and manage the related budgets. The field is seeing average growth. The national average salary is over $127,000 and marketing managers in the Baltimore metro area can expect to earn a median salary of $64,379.
Online MBA Programs in Maryland
The following list of online MBA programs in Maryland will help you select the best program to meet your career goals. By studying admission requirements, degree concentrations, delivery methods, and tuition and fees, you will be able to pick an MBA program that fits your financial and lifestyle needs.
How to Select an Online MBA Program in Maryland
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Maryland – these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
COMPARE STUDENT OUTCOME DETAILS
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
CONSIDER EXPECTED COSTS OF YOUR PROGRAMS
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
CHECK THAT CLASSES WILL FIT INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
TALK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT ALUMNI
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.