
Frostburg State University began as a teacher-training institution and developed into a public university serving western Maryland. Maryland established State Normal School No. 2 in 1898, and classes began in Frostburg in 1902.
As its academic offerings expanded beyond teacher preparation, the institution became Frostburg State Teachers College, then Frostburg State College, and received university status in 1987. Today it is part of the University System of Maryland. That history helps explain why education remains a visible part of a university that now also offers programs in business, health, the sciences, and the arts.
Frostburg State University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, sciences, professional fields, and teacher education. Its academic organization includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Education.
Students can explore fields such as biology, computer science, engineering, English, psychology, social work, accounting, and education. Health-related options include nursing pathways, but applicants should examine the particular credential: a traditional undergraduate major, a program for already-licensed nurses, and a graduate program can have different eligibility and clinical requirements.
Frostburg also offers graduate degrees and certificates. Prospective students should use the academic catalog for their intended entry year to check course sequences, internships or clinical placements, and whether a program can be completed at their preferred location or online. A program's presence in a degree directory does not mean every required course runs every semester.
Frostburg State University's main campus is in Frostburg, Maryland, a small city in the Appalachian mountains of western Maryland. The setting is different from that of a metropolitan campus: students have access to the town, while some internships, services, and entertainment may require regional travel.
Cumberland is a nearby population and transportation center. Students planning to commute or travel home should consider the local road network, winter weather, and the availability of transportation for their particular schedule. Frostburg's location may appeal to students interested in nearby outdoor recreation, but it also makes transportation planning relevant for students without a car.
Frostburg State University describes its purpose in terms of accessible public higher education, student learning, and engagement with its region. Its stated priorities include academic development, experiential learning, and service.
As a public member of the University System of Maryland, Frostburg is not a religiously affiliated institution. Its mission is a statement of institutional intent, rather than evidence that every student will have the same experience. Applicants can assess how that intent appears in their prospective program by examining requirements for research, fieldwork, clinical learning, internships, or community-based projects.
Name of the institution
Frostburg State UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
Town: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFrostburg State University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.