Maryland’s public higher education is organized into a single system. If you are comparing colleges, or just curious, here is what the University System of Maryland (USM) includes.
What is the University System of Maryland?
The USM is the state’s public higher education system. It consists of 12 institutions, regional higher education centers and a system office. The University of Maryland, College Park is the system’s flagship institution.
Which institutions belong to the USM?
The 12 institutions are:
- Bowie State University
- Coppin State University
- Frostburg State University
- Salisbury University
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- University of Maryland Global Campus
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Where are they?
The campuses are spread around the state:
| Location | Institution(s) |
|---|---|
| Allegany County (Frostburg) | Frostburg State University |
| Baltimore City | Coppin State University, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore |
| Baltimore County | University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Catonsville); Towson University (Towson) |
| Prince George’s County | Bowie State University (Bowie); University of Maryland, College Park (College Park) |
| Somerset County | University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Princess Anne) |
| Wicomico County | Salisbury University |
The list reflects published accounts of the system’s makeup. The University of Maryland Global Campus and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science are part of the system, but they serve students and research in different ways from a traditional campus.
How should students use this?
A student choosing a college should look at each institution’s own admissions, programs and costs, since the system is made up of distinct universities. The USM publishes information for each institution and for the system as a whole.
How does this fit with the rest of education?
The state’s public schools are organized separately into local school systems, as described in our guide to how Maryland public schools are organized. For a rule that affects the start of every school year, see our explainer on why Maryland public schools start after Labor Day.
This article is general information based on published accounts of the system. Check the University System of Maryland and each institution for current details.
Sources: University System of Maryland; Maryland Manual On-Line; Wikipedia
