Best UX Design Degree Programs in Maryland — 2026 Rankings

State Aid Programs

Maryland students pursuing UX Design (user experience design) degrees have access to multiple funding pathways, beginning with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All prospective students should complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. Beyond federal aid, Maryland residents benefit from state-specific opportunities, including the Maryland Senatorial/Delegate Scholarship, a need-based award distributed by state legislators to qualifying Maryland residents. For detailed information about state scholarship eligibility and application procedures, visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Key Programs & Amounts

Individual institutions offering UX Design programs in Maryland—including the 6 bachelor's-granting and 2 master's-granting institutions—provide institutional scholarships and merit-based awards that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Community colleges like Montgomery College and Harford Community College offer particularly affordable pathways, with tuition as low as $5,640 annually. Students should contact their institution's financial aid office to explore full-ride scholarships, departmental awards, and employer-sponsored tuition assistance. For comprehensive guidance on federal and state aid options, reference the College Scorecard to compare net price and aid packages across Maryland's UX Design programs.

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a ux design 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.

State Transfer System

Maryland's robust transfer system makes it easy for community college students to pursue four-year UX Design degrees. The state's Articulation System (ARTSYS) maps course equivalencies between Maryland institutions, ensuring credits earned at two-year colleges transfer seamlessly to bachelor's programs. This pathway is especially valuable given that Maryland has 5 associate's-granting institutions offering UX Design programs, producing 113 completions annually. Students can start at affordable community colleges like Montgomery College (52 completions, $8,190 tuition), Harford Community College (37 completions, $5,640 tuition), or Anne Arundel Community College ($6,984 tuition) and transfer to four-year institutions like Towson University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, or Bowie State University.

How Transfers Work

ARTSYS eliminates guesswork about course transfers by providing detailed equivalency information before enrollment. Most Maryland public universities accept credits from regionally-accredited community colleges and offer structured 2+2 pathways where students complete general education requirements at two-year institutions, then focus on major coursework at four-year schools. Bowie State University, which produces 43 UX Design completions annually, actively recruits transfer students. The Maryland Senatorial/Delegate Scholarship supports resident students at both community colleges and universities. Explore related field transfer pathways like Web Development in Maryland, Game Development in Maryland, or Information Technology in Maryland to identify complementary credentials. Contact your community college's transfer counselor to confirm which credits align with your target bachelor's program.

Industry & Workforce

Maryland offers a robust landscape for UX Design education with 14 institutions offering dedicated programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state boasts 6 bachelor's-granting institutions and 5 associate's-granting institutions specializing in UX Design, producing 208 completions annually across all credential types. Top-ranked programs like University of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Towson University provide world-class education at competitive tuition rates, with public four-year institutions averaging just $7,730 for in-state students.

Salary Outlook

Maryland's geographic positioning makes it a hub for technology and design innovation. The state encompasses major tech corridors including the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro area and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC suburbs, home to employers like Johns Hopkins, the National Institutes of Health, the University of Maryland, Lockheed Martin, and Marriott. These organizations actively recruit UX Design graduates for digital transformation initiatives. Students benefit from proximity to industry leaders while enjoying affordable public university options—Towson University charges just $7,382 with a 91.3% graduation rate. For those seeking online flexibility, University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers distance learning at $5,637 annually. Maryland's strong higher education infrastructure, combined with its thriving design and tech sectors, creates an ideal environment for aspiring UX professionals. Explore related fields like Web Development in Maryland or Game Development in Maryland to expand your career options.

Employment Outlook

Maryland's UX design job market is experiencing robust growth, driven by a concentration of major employers and tech-forward metropolitan areas. The state's largest employment hubs—Baltimore-Columbia-Towson and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area (MD portion)—create diverse opportunities for UX designers across multiple sectors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for digital design roles continues to expand as organizations prioritize user experience in their digital transformation initiatives. Cities like Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Rockville, Frederick, Bethesda, and Towson have emerged as regional centers for technology and design work, each with distinct industry focuses and career trajectories.

Salaries by Metro

Maryland's educational infrastructure supports this job market with 14 institutions offering UX Design programs across all degree levels, from 5 associate's programs to 2 master's programs. The state's public universities offer competitive in-state tuition averaging $7,730 annually for four-year institutions, making education more accessible than the national average. With 95 bachelor's degree completions and 113 associate's degree completions annually, Maryland produces a steady pipeline of qualified UX designers. Entry-level positions are increasingly available at government agencies, healthcare systems, and financial services firms that have established technology centers in the state. For comprehensive salary and employment trend data, consult the College Scorecard and explore related design fields like Web Development in Maryland and Mobile Development in Maryland to understand adjacent career pathways.

Core Requirements

UX Design curriculum at Maryland institutions blends theory, practice, and emerging technologies. Associate's degree programs at colleges like Montgomery College and Anne Arundel Community College typically cover foundational courses including user research methodologies, wireframing, prototyping, interaction design, and visual communication. These programs emphasize hands-on projects and industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch. Bachelor's degree programs at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Towson University, and University of Maryland-College Park expand scope significantly, requiring coursework in human-computer interaction, usability testing, information architecture, accessibility standards, user experience strategy, and digital design systems. Many programs integrate capstone projects where students tackle real-world design challenges.

Degree Pathways

Master's programs at University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County emphasize advanced research methodologies, design thinking frameworks, and specialized applications including mobile UX, web application design, and healthcare/enterprise UX. Graduate students conduct original research through thesis projects or capstone studies, often collaborating with local employers like Johns Hopkins and NIH on real-world applications. Many programs integrate industry partnerships and internship requirements, ensuring students gain practical experience alongside academic rigor. Information Technology and Mobile Development programs provide complementary technical foundations. Check ABET accreditation listings for programs meeting rigorous professional standards.

Online Program Growth

Maryland's UX Design programs span both traditional campus-based and online delivery formats, accommodating diverse student schedules and learning preferences. Online bachelor's options provide flexibility for working professionals and distance learners, with institutions like University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($5,637 tuition, 78.1% graduation rate), Salisbury University ($7,706 tuition, 96.5% graduation rate), and Morgan State University offering fully online pathways. These programs maintain academic rigor while eliminating geographic barriers, allowing students across Maryland and beyond to earn degrees from institutions in Baltimore, College Park, and other major metros. The best online programs ranking provides comprehensive comparisons of credential quality and career outcomes.

Accredited Online Options

Campus-based programs offer hands-on collaboration, in-person mentorship, and direct access to design labs and equipment—particularly valuable for UX design students who benefit from peer feedback and real-time interaction with instructors. Top-ranked campus programs at University of Maryland-College Park and University of Maryland-Baltimore County provide integrated classroom experiences, industry partnerships with employers like Lockheed Martin and Marriott, and networking opportunities within Maryland's thriving tech hubs in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro areas. Many institutions now offer hybrid models combining online coursework with periodic on-campus residencies. Students should evaluate program format based on career goals: explore Game Development in Maryland and Mobile Development in Maryland for complementary specializations available in both formats.

Baltimore and the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro area represent Maryland's strongest UX design hub, with the highest concentration of employers, educational institutions, and career opportunities. Bowie State University (43 completions annually) and Harford Community College (37 completions) serve this region, producing talented designers who feed into local employer networks. The metro area's diverse industry base—including healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing—creates varied UX design specializations. Columbia, nestled between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., offers a balanced cost of living while maintaining proximity to major employment centers. Towson hosts Towson University, a top-ranked program producing 9,130% graduation rates, and serves as an emerging tech corridor within the metro.

The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region (Maryland portion) encompasses cities like Bethesda, Rockville, Germantown, and Silver Spring, where NIH, federal agencies, and major corporations create abundant opportunities. This region supports higher salaries relative to Baltimore but also reflects increased living costs. University of Maryland-College Park, Maryland's #1-ranked bachelor's program, anchors the region with strong employer connections. Frederick and Central Maryland communities offer affordable living costs combined with emerging tech sectors and government contractor opportunities. For students prioritizing affordability, schools like University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($5,637 tuition) and Bowie State University ($5,993 tuition) provide excellent value. Explore similar opportunities in related fields by reviewing Web Development in Maryland and comparing regional programs across UX Design in California and UX Design in Texas to understand national market context.

Last Updated: February 15, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2023 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.