Why Gc - Garrett College
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Why Garrett College?

Garrett College is the smallest and furthest west of all of the community colleges in the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, but we use our size as an advantage!

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Virtual Campus Tour

Through both credit and noncredit programs, Garrett College serves more than 5,000 students annually and maintains a strong reputation for:

  • academic excellence
  • academic support services
  • unique programs of study
  • groundbreaking scholarship opportunities
  • competitive NJCAA Division II and III athletic teams
  • on-campus residence halls
  • study abroad opportunities, and
  • collaboration with regional businesses and other organizations.

Garrett College graduates who transfer to other four-year Maryland colleges and/or universities regularly outperform their counterparts.


Explore the Deep Creek Lake and Western Maryland Area

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Garrett County contains over 76,000 acres of parks, lakes, and publicly accessible forests. Popular activities in the county include camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, alpine and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting, ice fishing, fly fishing, whitewater canoeing, kayaking, rafting, boating, swimming, sailing, horseback riding, and water skiing. It is all here! If you are seeking adventure, or just a beautiful natural environment, then Garrett County, Maryland is the place to be. Be sure to stop by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce to see what current events are taking place in the area!

HERITAGE & CULTURE

Garrett County has always been a Gateway to the West! Garrett County was founded as a tourist destination! Thanks to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Those looking to escape the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Washington, DC would bring the B&O west to the “fresh, clean mountain air of Garrett County.” Before the railroad, the National Road ran through Garrett County, opening the Westward frontier.

The county is full of unique and interesting history, heritage and culture. Check out the Garrett County Historical Society museum, or the Garrett County Transportation museum or the original B&O Train Station in Oakland. Walk across the largest single span stone bridge at the Casselman River Bridge in Grantsville. Interested in culture? Visit one of Garrett County’s two Arts & Entertainment districts in Oakland and Grantsville. Visit the Garrett County Arts Council shop on 2nd Street in Oakland for a list of local artists and go watch them work!

You will not want to miss one of the many performances brought to the county by the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival.

NEARBY URBAN AREAS

Garrett’s location is close enough to everything, but just far enough away! Interested in a day trip? There are a couple options that are close enough for full day excursions.

Driving Distances to Garrett College
  • Baltimore (181 miles)
  • Charleston (201 miles)
  • Harrisburg (180 miles)
  • Morgantown (43 miles)
  • Pittsburgh (121 miles)
  • Washington D.C. (178 miles)
  • Winchester (122 miles)