Maryland holds a distinctive place in US nursing education: it was one of the original signatories to the Nursing Licensure Compact, signed into law in 2000, and it is home to the University of Maryland School of Nursing — one of the largest nursing schools in the United States. The state sits at the center of a massive healthcare corridor stretching from Washington DC through Baltimore and into suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. That geography means Maryland nurses have access to some of the most prestigious academic medical centers, federal health agencies, and research institutions in the country. Maryland’s RN wages reflect that demand — average salaries run well above the national mean, particularly in the DC and Baltimore metro areas.
Program options span the full spectrum: CNA and LPN certificates, ADN programs at community colleges, BSN programs at state universities and elite private institutions, accelerated BSN for career changers, and graduate MSN and DNP programs. Demand is strong across all program levels.
NLC compact membership
Maryland is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact and has been since 2000 — one of the compact’s original member states.
The NLC allows nurses who hold a compact license in their primary state of residence to practice in any other NLC member state without applying for a separate license. As of 2026, more than 40 states are full NLC members. A Maryland RN license issued to a Maryland resident functions as a multi-state license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states without additional applications.
Maryland’s long-standing compact membership is especially relevant for nurses in the DC metro corridor, where working across the Maryland/Virginia/DC border is common. Virginia is also a compact state. Note that the District of Columbia is not an NLC member — a separate DC license is required to practice there.
If you move your primary residence out of Maryland to another compact state, you would apply for a license in your new home state. To verify current compact member states, visit nursecompact.com.
Types of nursing programs available
Maryland’s nursing education system covers every level of preparation, from entry-level CNA to doctoral study.
CNA programs (4–12 weeks) CNA programs are offered at community colleges, healthcare facilities, and vocational schools across Maryland. CNA certification is a common starting point for those entering nursing.
LPN programs (12–18 months) LPN programs are available at community colleges and career schools. Maryland LPNs often bridge to RN through LPN-to-ADN programs.
ADN programs (2 years post-prerequisites) Community colleges across Maryland offer ACEN-accredited ADN programs. These are a cost-effective entry to RN licensure, particularly in regions outside Baltimore and DC where tuition is lower. For a focused look at ADN programs in Maryland, see our ADN nursing programs in Maryland guide.
BSN programs (4 years) Four-year BSN programs are offered at University of Maryland, Towson University, Salisbury University, Johns Hopkins University, and other institutions. Magnet-designated hospitals in Baltimore and the DC suburbs increasingly prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses.
Accelerated BSN (12–18 months) Accelerated BSN programs for second-degree candidates are available at University of Maryland and several private institutions. These intensive programs are competitive and typically require a GPA of 3.0 or above with prerequisites completed.
RN-to-BSN bridge programs Online RN-to-BSN programs serve Maryland’s ADN-educated workforce. University of Maryland and Towson University offer flexible completion options.
MSN and DNP programs Maryland has substantial graduate nursing infrastructure, particularly at University of Maryland School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
| Program type | Length | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | 4–12 weeks | High school diploma or GED |
| LPN | 12–18 months | High school diploma or GED |
| ADN | ~2 years | Prerequisites completed |
| BSN | 4 years | High school diploma |
| Accelerated BSN | 12–18 months | Bachelor’s degree (any field) |
| RN-to-BSN | 12–24 months | Active RN license |
| MSN/DNP | 2–4 years | BSN + RN license |
Admission requirements
Maryland nursing programs are competitive, reflecting high applicant volumes in the DC-Baltimore corridor.
Academic prerequisites: Standard prerequisites for ADN and BSN programs in Maryland include Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab), Microbiology (with lab), General Chemistry (with lab), English Composition, Psychology, and Mathematics. BSN programs typically require Statistics as well. Science courses generally must be completed within the past 5–7 years with grades of C or better (B preferred at competitive programs).
GPA: Minimum GPA requirements typically run 2.7–3.0 at community colleges; BSN programs at University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins are more competitive, with admitted applicants commonly presenting science GPAs of 3.3–3.5 and above. If your GPA is below the typical threshold for your target program, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is widely required for Maryland ADN programs; many BSN programs require TEAS or SAT/ACT scores. Competitive TEAS scores for community college programs typically run at the 65th percentile and above. See ATI TEAS vs. HESI for a full comparison.
Healthcare experience: Many competitive Maryland programs recommend documented patient care experience. This is particularly true at the BSN level at University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins.
Background check and drug screening: Required by all Maryland nursing programs and clinical placement sites. The Maryland Board of Nursing provides guidance on licensure eligibility for applicants with prior criminal history.
For a detailed breakdown of prerequisites by program type, see nursing school prerequisites.
Top nursing programs in Maryland
University of Maryland School of Nursing – Baltimore UM School of Nursing is one of the largest nursing schools in the United States and holds CCNE accreditation. It offers BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. The school is affiliated with the University of Maryland Medical System and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, providing nursing students access to Level I trauma care and a wide range of specialty clinical environments. Graduate programs are nationally ranked.
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing – Baltimore Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is among the most prestigious nursing programs in the US, consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally. CCNE-accredited, it offers BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Clinical placements at The Johns Hopkins Hospital — a perennial US News top-ranked hospital — provide exceptional exposure. Admission is highly competitive. Graduates enter practice with strong research foundations and career networks.
Towson University Department of Nursing – Towson Towson’s nursing program is CCNE-accredited and one of the larger BSN pipelines in the Baltimore-metro area. It offers BSN and RN-to-BSN programs. Towson’s location in Baltimore County means strong clinical placement connections throughout the Baltimore metro health system network.
Salisbury University Department of Nursing – Salisbury Salisbury’s nursing program is CCNE-accredited and serves the Eastern Shore region. It offers BSN and RN-to-BSN programs. For students planning to practice in the Delmarva Peninsula or coastal Maryland, Salisbury’s regional network is a genuine advantage.
Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing – Baltimore Notre Dame of Maryland’s School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs. Located in north Baltimore, it draws on the city’s hospital network for clinical placements and serves a diverse student population.
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) – Multiple campuses CCBC’s ADN program is ACEN-accredited and is one of the main community college nursing pipelines in the greater Baltimore area. Affordable in-state tuition and accessible prerequisites make it a high-value entry point. See our dedicated ADN nursing programs in Maryland guide for more community college options.
NCLEX pass rates and program quality
The Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) oversees RN and LPN licensure and publishes NCLEX pass rate data. Maryland-educated candidates typically achieve first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates close to or above the national average, which has run approximately 80–87% for US-educated first-time test takers in recent years.
As with all states, program rates vary significantly. Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland consistently perform well above the national average. Community college ADN programs vary — check MBON or NCSBN data for current program-specific rates before committing to a program.
See NCLEX pass rates by nursing school for a guide to comparing programs, and NCLEX first-attempt strategy for preparation guidance.
Nursing salary expectations in Maryland
Maryland RN salaries are substantially above the national average, driven by the DC-Baltimore metro’s healthcare density, high cost of living, and demand from federal health agencies.
| Setting | Approximate annual RN salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore metro | $82,000–$92,000 |
| DC suburbs (Montgomery/PG County) | $88,000–$100,000 |
| Eastern Shore (rural) | $72,000–$82,000 |
| Federal facilities (NIH, VA) | $85,000–$105,000+ |
| Travel nursing (MD-based) | $90,000–$120,000+ (varies) |
Bureau of Labor Statistics data places Maryland mean annual RN wages at approximately $85,000–$95,000 — well above the national mean of approximately $89,000. Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, adjacent to DC, are among the highest-paying RN markets in the mid-Atlantic. Federal healthcare facilities — the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and VA Maryland — offer additional high-wage employment options not found in most states.
Job growth for Maryland RNs is consistent with national BLS projections of approximately 6% over the decade, with particularly strong demand in outpatient, behavioral health, and home health settings.
How to choose a nursing program in Maryland
Accreditation: Choose only ACEN- or CCNE-accredited programs. Both accreditors are nationally recognized; ACEN typically covers ADN and diploma programs, CCNE covers BSN and graduate programs. Accreditation affects federal financial aid, RN-to-BSN bridge eligibility, and employer recognition.
NCLEX pass rates: Use MBON’s published program data. Programs with sustained first-attempt rates above 85% are strong performers in a competitive market.
Clinical placement quality: In Maryland, program affiliation matters. University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins students receive placements at exceptional academic medical centers. For community college ADN students, check which specific hospitals serve as clinical sites — major systems like University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Health System have broad community partnerships.
Cost vs. outcome: Johns Hopkins BSN offers elite credentials at elite tuition. University of Maryland offers strong outcomes at significantly lower in-state cost. Community college ADN programs are the most affordable pathway — often $10,000–$20,000 total — and feed readily into Maryland’s healthcare labor market. See is nursing school worth the debt?.
ADN vs. BSN in Maryland: Given the high concentration of Magnet-designated hospitals in the Baltimore and DC areas — all of which have BSN-preference policies — the long-term case for BSN is strong in this market. That said, ADN programs with clear RN-to-BSN pathways remain a practical and cost-effective route.
For a full program selection framework, see how to choose a nursing school. For accreditation detail, see nursing school accreditation explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is Maryland a compact nursing state? Yes. Maryland is one of the original NLC compact member states, having signed the compact in 2000. A Maryland RN license issued to a Maryland resident functions as a multi-state compact license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states. Note: the District of Columbia is not an NLC member — a separate DC license is required to practice there.
How long does nursing school take in Maryland? ADN programs take approximately two years of full-time clinical coursework after prerequisites. BSN programs are four years. Accelerated BSN programs for second-degree students run 12–18 months. LPN programs are 12–18 months. RN-to-BSN completion programs are typically 12–24 months and widely available online.
What GPA do I need for nursing school in Maryland? Community college ADN programs typically require a cumulative GPA of 2.7–3.0. BSN programs at University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins are significantly more competitive — admitted applicants commonly present science GPAs of 3.3–3.5 and above. See nursing school GPA requirements for a full breakdown.
How much do RNs make in Maryland? Bureau of Labor Statistics data places Maryland mean annual RN wages at approximately $85,000–$95,000 — one of the higher state averages in the US. DC-suburb counties (Montgomery, Prince George’s) run toward the top of that range. Federal health facilities such as NIH and Walter Reed often pay at the higher end of the federal pay scale.