On this page
Key Takeaways
Best database administration degree programs: U of Maryland Global, U of Maryland-College Park, U of Maryland-Baltimore C...
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $4,933 to $62,840/year
Prince George's Community... offers the most affordable option at $5,016/yr
Database Administration degree programs available: 2 associate's, 9 master's, 2 doctoral in Maryland
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
5 online database administration degree programs in Maryland
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Maryland community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: NSA, Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL, Northrop Grumman
Tech hubs in Baltimore and Bethesda
Hakia Research 2026
Database Administration degree programs near 43+ cities across Maryland
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Maryland Database Administration programs
We rank 27 accredited database administration programs in Maryland using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Database Administration Degree Programs in Maryland Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Database Administration Degree Rankings in Maryland
Compare the top-ranked Database Administration programs in Maryland by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Database Administration Programs in Maryland
Program Landscape
Maryland offers 2 accredited associate's degree programs in database administration, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Prince George's Community..., Wor-Wic Community College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Maryland offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $5,604/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $67,331 in Maryland.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Maryland's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like NSA, Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among database administration schools in Maryland, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their database administration degrees in Maryland.
Best Bachelor's Database Administration Programs in Maryland
Program Landscape
Maryland ranks among the nation's top destinations for database administration education, with 14 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 9 public and 4 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Maryland Global, U of Maryland-College Park, U of Maryland-Baltimore C..., recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Maryland database administration programs earn a median salary of $104,057, 6% above the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including NSA, Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $4,933 to $55,480 annually, with an average of $16,921/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 83%, with the highest reaching 97%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Maryland's leading technology employers. For students seeking database administration degrees in Maryland, these top-ranked database administration schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 14 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore, MD | Private | $55,480 | 92% | 47.9 |
| #7 | Stevenson University | Owings Mills, MD | Private | $36,940 | 87% | 43.2 |
| #8 | Strayer University-Maryland | Suitland, MD | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 41.6 |
| #9 | Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park, MD | Private | $23,400 | — | 42.8 |
| #10 | Notre Dame of Maryland University | Baltimore, MD | Private | $40,430 | 81% | 40.9 |
| #11 | Coppin State University | Baltimore, MD | Public | $4,933 | — | 42.4 |
| #12 | Morgan State University | Baltimore, MD | Public | $5,587 | 52% | 42.8 |
| #13 | University of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | Public | $7,442 | — | 39.6 |
| #14 | Frostburg State University | Frostburg, MD | Public | $7,110 | — | 36.8 |
Best Master's Database Administration Programs in Maryland
Program Landscape
Maryland offers 9 master's degree programs in database administration, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Maryland Global, U of Maryland-Baltimore C..., Johns Hopkins, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Maryland earn a median salary of $122,420, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with NSA, Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $26,907/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Maryland's database administration schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Johns Hopkins University
Show all 9 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Stevenson University | Owings Mills, MD | Private | $36,940 | 87% | 47.7 |
| #7 | Notre Dame of Maryland University | Baltimore, MD | Private | $40,430 | 81% | 41.5 |
| #8 | Strayer University-Maryland | Suitland, MD | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 42.8 |
| #9 | Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | Public | $5,993 | — | 38.6 |
Best Doctoral Database Administration Programs in Maryland
Program Landscape
Maryland is home to 2 doctoral programs in database administration, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Maryland-Baltimore C..., U of Maryland-College Park are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Maryland PhD holders earning a median of $153,025, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Baltimore, Bethesda, Rockville region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like NSA, Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins APL.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Maryland programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing database administration degrees in Maryland, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
University of Maryland-College Park
Database Administration Degree Costs & Tuition in Maryland
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $17,608/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $44,020/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,402/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $105,648 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $26,412 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Database Administration Students in Maryland
State Aid Programs
Maryland students pursuing database administration degrees have access to multiple financial aid pathways, starting with the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through Federal Student Aid, students can apply for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities regardless of their chosen institution. Maryland residents attending public universities benefit from additional state-level support through the Maryland Senatorial/Delegate Scholarship, a need-based award program administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission that provides direct funding from state legislators. This scholarship is particularly valuable for students at the state's 30 institutions offering database administration programs, ranging from community colleges to research universities.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state grants, many institutions offering database administration programs provide institutional scholarships and financial aid packages tailored to enrolled students. Public four-year universities in Maryland charge an average in-state tuition of $7,730, making state schools more accessible than private alternatives. Students should explore aid options through the College Scorecard, which provides detailed financial information for each school, and consult the Maryland Higher Education Commission website for comprehensive state aid programs. Community college pathways offer additional savings, with institutions like those ranked in our best associate's programs list charging significantly less than four-year universities, making them an excellent entry point for students seeking affordable credentials before transferring through Maryland's ARTSYS articulation system.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator, Maryland
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a database administration degree in Maryland. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Database Administration Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a database administration degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+959%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,774,135
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$100,000
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Database Administration Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Maryland metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $135K |
| Bethesda | $129K |
| Rockville | $122K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Database Administration Graduates in Maryland
Find database administration jobs in Maryland. These major employers across Maryland metro areas are actively hiring database administration degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Database Administration Jobs in Baltimore
MDDatabase Administration Jobs in Bethesda-Rockville
MDDatabase Administration Jobs in Columbia-Fort Meade
MDTransfer Pathways for Database Administration Degrees in Maryland
State Transfer System
Maryland's transfer pathway system is streamlined through the Articulation System (ARTSYS), which maps course equivalencies between 18 two-year institutions and four-year universities (https://artsys.usmd.edu/). Students completing associate degree programs at leading community colleges such as Montgomery College ($8,190 tuition), Community College of Baltimore County ($5,784 tuition), and Prince George's Community College ($5,016 tuition) can seamlessly transfer database coursework to bachelor's degree programs. This articulated pathway allows students to earn 19 associate completions annually while reducing overall degree costs and completion time.
How Transfers Work
Transfer-friendly institutions like University of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland-Baltimore County (tuition: $9,238), and Towson University (tuition: $7,382) actively recruit community college graduates and apply transfer credits directly toward bachelor's degrees. The Maryland Senatorial/Delegate Scholarship (https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.aspx) provides need-based financial aid for resident students, benefiting transfer students. Students beginning at affordable community colleges can substantially reduce total education costs while completing foundational database courses. For detailed transfer planning, consult the ARTSYS database, review the best bachelor's programs, and explore related cloud computing transfer pathways to design optimal educational routes matching career goals and financial circumstances.
Why Pursue a Database Administration Degree in Maryland?
Industry & Workforce
Maryland offers exceptional opportunities for students pursuing Database Administration degrees, with 30 institutions across the state offering programs at multiple degree levels (IPEDS). The state's higher education ecosystem includes 15 bachelor's-degree-granting institutions and 3 community colleges with associate programs, producing 2,981 bachelor's completions and 665 master's completions annually. This strong pipeline reflects strong regional demand for database professionals in Maryland's thriving technology sectors.
Salary Outlook
Maryland's strategic location within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metropolitan areas creates career opportunities. The state hosts major employers including Johns Hopkins University, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Lockheed Martin, and Marriott, all requiring skilled database administrators. Public in-state tuition for four-year institutions averages $7,730, making Maryland programs significantly more affordable than the national average. Top-ranked programs like University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County combine affordability with prestige, offering graduates competitive advantages in the job market. Explore related programs in data analytics and information systems to build comprehensive career pathways.
Database Administration Program Availability in Maryland
Source: IPEDS 2024
Database Administration Job Market & Salary Data in Maryland
Employment Outlook
Maryland's database administration job market is strong, supported by a diverse employer base spanning healthcare, technology, defense, and hospitality sectors. The state's major employment hubs are concentrated in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro area and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro region (Maryland portion), which collectively represent the largest demand for database professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland offers competitive compensation for database administrators with opportunities across multiple industries. Cities like Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Rockville, Frederick, Bethesda, and Towson all maintain active tech talent markets with growing infrastructure demands.
Salaries by Metro
The state's educational pipeline supports this demand effectively. Maryland institutions awarded 2,981 bachelor's degrees, 665 master's degrees, and 21 doctoral degrees in database administration during 2023, with an additional 19 associate's degrees from community colleges (IPEDS Data). This supply of qualified graduates fuels Maryland's competitive advantage in attracting database administration talent. For detailed occupational outlook data and state-specific salary information, prospective professionals should consult the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Students exploring related career paths may also consider database management, data analytics, and information systems programs throughout the state.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Database Administration Programs in Maryland
Online Programs
5 available in Maryland
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Database Administration Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 56
- Median Tuition
- $15,200
- Total Programs
- 13
- Median Tuition
- $12,900
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $8,100
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $11,800
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 47
- Median Tuition
- $7,700
- Total Programs
- 65
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Database Administration Degree Programs in Maryland: FAQ
What are the best database administration degree programs in Maryland?
How much do database administration degree programs cost in Maryland?
What salary can database administration degree graduates earn in Maryland?
Are there online database administration degree programs in Maryland?
What companies hire database administration degree graduates in Maryland?
Is a database administration degree program worth it in Maryland?
How long do database administration degree programs take in Maryland?
What financial aid is available for database administration degree students in Maryland?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Maryland salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.