Accredited nursing programs in Maryland
25 schools in Maryland have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 11 BSN, 13 ADN, 3 LPN, 9 MSN programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 10 of 11 listings are CCNE and 1 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 11
- 1 ACEN, 10 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 13
- 13 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 3
- 3 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 9
- 1 ACEN, 8 CCNE
Accredited schools in Maryland
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany College of Maryland | Cumberland | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Bowie State University | Bowie | Public | ACEN | – | – | ACEN |
| Cecil College | North East | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Chesapeake College | Wye Mills | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| College of Southern Maryland | La Plata | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Coppin State University | Baltimore | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Frederick Community College | Frederick | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Frostburg State University | Frostburg | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Hagerstown Community College | Hagerstown | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Harford Community College | Bel Air | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Hood College | Frederick | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Howard Community College | Columbia | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore | Private | – | – | – | CCNE |
| Montgomery College | Rockville | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Morgan State University | Baltimore | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University | Baltimore | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Prince George's Community College | Largo | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Salisbury University | Salisbury | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Stevenson University | Owings Mills | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Towson University | Towson | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in Maryland
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Maryland board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Associate programs are the most common accredited level here, with 13. For bachelor’s degrees, 11 of 12 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (92%). Compare Maryland BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Maryland are accredited?
We matched 25 Maryland schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 11 BSN, 13 ADN, 3 LPN, 9 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Maryland?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Maryland bachelor’s programs accredited?
11 of the 12 Maryland schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.