Education
A Natural Habitat for Lifelong Learners
Businesses looking for talent and career-minded professionals find a premier educational landscape in Howard County. The area is home to the top-rated school district in Maryland, Howard County Public Schools, which offers highly educated teachers, a remarkable 95% graduation rate and innovative career and technical education (CTE) for a variety of pathways to success.
On the higher education side, Howard Community College stands as one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing affordability, robust career training programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Fast Facts
Most Educated State (Maryland)
Best School District in Maryland (Howard County Public Schools)
Best Community Colleges in the U.S. (Howard Community College)
Workforce & Demographics
Our top-rated education is just one reason for our superb workforce. Learn more about the skilled talent in Howard County.
Where High-Level Thinkers Call Home
Howard County has a stellar reputation as one of the most intellectually advanced and career-focused regions in the U.S., thanks to its esteemed universities and colleges. A preeminent higher education institution, Howard County Community College has secured its position among the best community colleges in Maryland and in the nation. UMBC Training Centers in Columbia is one of the top three universities in the U.S. for IT degrees according to the National Science Foundation (NSF), and offers customizable training programs for businesses in cybersecurity, data science, systems engineering and more. Additionally, Loyola University, renowned for its liberal arts education, ensures that over 70% of its students gain invaluable international experience before they graduate.
Opening Doors and Possibilities
Students in Howard County start their lives with some of the best educational foundations available. In fact, the Howard County Public School System has garnered recognition as the top-ranked school district in the state based on the district’s diversity and commitment to academic excellence. HCPSS boasts 78 elementary, middle and high schools, accommodating a student population of nearly 57,000. Its innovative approach includes Career Academies that facilitate internships with local businesses and capstone and research projects that foster real-world experience. Beyond HCPSS, Howard County has a variety of independent, private and Montessori K-12 institutions, including Glenelg Country School and the Maryland International School — which emphasize smaller class sizes and curriculum that nurtures critical thinking skills.
Keeping Skills Fresh
Adult learners can quickly find career paths in Howard County through a variety of continuing education programs. Howard County Community College (HCC) offers courses in some of the county’s biggest industries such as healthcare, business services and Information Technology. Meanwhile, in collaboration with HCC, Live Green Howard supports the county’s strong ESG focus with its Legacy Leadership Environmental Institute (LLEI) — an eight-week program guided by experts from NASA, NOAA and other organizations that provides students with cutting-edge insights into sustainability, global climate change and regional ecology.
Featured News + Events
NextGen Founders: Building Howard County’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
This summer, high school and college students gained more than work experience through our 2026 summer internship program. They spent the summer working alongside our business units and Maryland Innovation Center companies while building the skills, connections and confidence to take their next steps. Through the Summer 2026 Youth in Business Series: NextGen Founders, interns also
LIFT Fund Helps Candles by Candy Turn Funding Into Business Growth
Access to capital can help a small business move forward. Pairing that capital with the right guidance can help an entrepreneur decide where to go next. For Candles by Candy, support through our LIFT Microloan Fund provided both. Founder Candace Bell has grown Candles by Candy from a passion for candle making into a Howard
What Howard County Businesses Gain from Business Appreciation Week
Running a business comes with plenty of opportunities and challenges. Business Appreciation Week gives Howard County businesses a direct way to share both with the people working to support the local business community. From September 28 through October 2, 2026, Ambassador teams will visit businesses across Howard County during Business Appreciation Week. The goal is simple: