Making Education A Priority
Montgomery County knows that higher education is an investment that pays off. The County is committed to supporting a wide range of higher education options, along with vocational and professional training programs. By providing residents with opportunities to learn and grow, we ensure a better future for our entire community.
Post-graduate degrees, the highest percentage in the nation of residents over 25 years of age
Bachelor’s degree or higher
High school graduates or higher
Increase in Computer and Info Systems degrees since 2012
STEM PHDs
Universities at Shady Grove
Montgomery County is home to the Universities at Shady Grove, a unique consortium of nine University of Maryland institutions offering 80 undergrad and graduate degree programs on one convenient campus. Students have a variety of schools available on one large campus including the University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Salisbury and Towson Universities, and Bowie State University.
With programs offered on a very flexible basis, students can complete their education in a cost-effective and timely manner while staying close to home. Success is in the numbers: 4,000 students attend programs at USG each year, projected to grow to 7,000 by 2020. Over 50% of students who apply for receive scholarship money to attend the school. And the outcome? 88% of graduates are staying and working in our region in their intended career field.
The intelligence of the students that come to us from MCPS and Montgomery College create a student body that is interested in succeeding in the knowledge base workforce of the County.
Johns Hopkins Montgomery County Campus
Johns Hopkins Montgomery County Campus offers part-time, evening, master’s degree courses, and 4-year degrees in bioinformatics, biotechnology, biotechnology enterprise and entrepreneurship, regulatory science and other areas. The campus is home to dozens of research companies and entrepreneur, with scientists on campus working towards cures for disease, advances in cell therapy along with research and developments in other health areas. Students can take advantage of a quality Johns Hopkins education right in the heart of the Montgomery County’s biotech cluster.
The prestigious JHU offers part-time master’s degree programs in biotechnology fields designed so working adults can further their educations and advance their careers. The campus is experiencing significant growth, with plans to expand from its current 215,000 square feet to 2.7 million square feet of academic, research and corporate space during the next decade.
Montgomery College
Montgomery College is one of the leading community colleges in the country offering numerous tracks towards associate degrees and certificates in highly sought-after STEM and other fields. It also graduates the largest number of students in the County. The multi-campus college serves 60,000 students in key industries with 130 programs of study. It also creates customized curriculum designed for industries and partners in specific business areas. The educational institution is on the cutting edge of integrating academia, business and research to further talent development in the greater Washington area.
Campuses are conveniently located around the County including Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma Park, and Wheaton. Montgomery College also offers active Workforce Development and Continuing Education options for real-world training.
Learn more about Montgomery College.
Through connecting companies with our students on campus, we are multiplying the power of partnerships.
Pathways to Higher Education
Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the University System of Maryland/Universities at Shady Grove have a joint interest in producing citizens who are competitive in a global economy. Through their Pathways to Higher Education program, they offer students college credit opportunities, along with college readiness and career exploration.
A Region Focused On Education
The Washington, D.C. region isn’t one of the smartest parts of the country by accident. Education is taken seriously here—and with a variety of institutions to choose from, area residents can select the school that’s right for them.
Top Tier Universities
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. are two of the top universities in the region, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report. Other excellent universities in the vicinity include the University of Maryland at College Park, George Washington and American University.
Unique Features
U.S. News cited Johns Hopkins as a “best-value” school—with 45 percent of students receiving need-based grants. Howard University ranked No. 2 among historically black colleges. And the University of Maryland at College Park was ranked No. 29 on the list of best colleges for veterans. To see the complete report, visit U.S. News & World Report 2018 List.
Student Picks
When surveyed by Niche.com, most students from Montgomery County were interested in attending the University of Maryland at College Park. Their second choice was Towson University in Towson, MD, followed by Montgomery College.
THESE LEADING UNIVERSITIES ARE JUST A FEW MILES FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Johns Hopkins University is America’s first research university. Based in Baltimore, the top-ranked school is world-renowned for medicine—with a campus in Washington, D.C., and a regional satellite campus in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,000 students.
Located in a historic neighborhood of the nation's capital, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and social justice. Academics at Georgetown are heavily influenced by the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person.
At George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the whole city is their classroom. An independent academic institution chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1821, it dedicates itself to furthering human well-being.
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, D.C., with a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Students distinguish themselves with their service, leadership, and global opportunities.
Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA is an iconic public university of higher education—designed to advance human knowledge, educate leaders and cultivate informed citizens.