There are currently 55 colleges and universities, defined as accredited, degree-granting, postsecondary institutions, in the state of Maryland.
The state's public universities are part of the University System of Maryland, with the exception of United States Naval Academy, St. Mary's College of Maryland, Morgan State University and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, which are public but are not part of the university system. The characteristics of each institution varies from small, intimate, liberal arts colleges such as Washington College and McDaniel College to large, public, research universities such as the University of Maryland, College Park. The oldest school in the state is St. John's College, formerly King William's School, founded in 1696, and the third oldest college or university in the United States. The newest school in the state is the WorâÂÂWic Community College founded in 1975. The University System of Maryland has two regional higher education centers where several state universities operate satellite programs, the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown founded in 2008 and the Universities at Shady Grove founded in 2000.
As of 2005, approximately 310,689 students (undergraduate, graduate, & professional) were enrolled at Maryland universities and colleges. In fall 2010, 369,320 students (undergraduate, graduate, & professional) enrolled at Maryland universities and colleges (increase of 18.87% since 2005), the highest such enrollment in State history. Women accounted for 57.5% of all students. For undergraduates, Maryland residents constituted 93% of enrollees at community colleges, 76.5% at public four-year institutions, and 54.4% at independent universities and colleges. Universities and colleges in Maryland with regional accreditation are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.