U.S. News Ranks UMD No. 17 Among Public Universities

The University of Maryland is No. 17 among public universities in the influential 2027 "Best Colleges" guide by U.S. News & World Report—a top-20 placement for the seventh year in a row. 

UMD is also No. 49 among national universities in the new list released Tuesday. A new ranking for “Best Value for In-State Students” puts UMD at No. 1 in Maryland and No. 20 nationally, based on the institution's tuition and fees, need-based aid and scholarships, as well as overall cost. In addition, the university’s commitment to creating an immersive educational environment is reflected in its improved No. 8 ranking for learning communities.

“The University of Maryland continues to be recognized across disciplines and by leading organizations for our academic excellence, bold research enterprise and unwavering commitment to student success,” UMD President Darryll J. Pines and Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice said. 

UMD’s rating is based on factors including increased spending on student educational experiences, favorable student-faculty ratios and rising post-graduation student earnings. A hub for entrepreneurship, UMD was also named No. 25 most innovative among public schools. For more than four decades, prospective students have consulted the U.S. News rankings during college searches.

“Rankings are one way of measuring our progress, but they are ultimately a reflection of the people and work behind them. We are proud of what we have built together and grateful to everyone who continues to move Maryland Fearlessly Forward,” said Pines and Rice.

The university has a combined 65 top-25 rankings for its schools, colleges, programs and specialties, according to U.S. News. The publication also evaluated a variety of undergraduate academic programs, and UMD received high marks across disciplines, including the following:

Business

• UMD remained No. 24 nationally and rose to No. 13 among public institutions, with two specialties in the top 25:
  • Management information systems: No. 9 nationally, No. 7 among publics
  • Supply chain management/logistics: No. 17 nationally, No. 13 among publics

Computer Science

• UMD ranks No. 17 nationally, and No. 10 among public institutions, with two specialties in the top 25:
  • Artificial intelligence: No. 20 nationally, No. 10 among publics
  • Cybersecurity: No. 8 nationally, No. 5 among publics

Engineering

• UMD ranks No. 22 nationally and No. 12 among public institutions, with four specialties in the top 25:
  • Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical: No. 13 nationally, No. 9 among publics
  • Computer engineering: No. 16 nationally, No. 10 among publics
  • Electrical/electronic/communications engineering: No. 17 nationally, No. 11 among publics
  • Mechanical engineering: No. 20 nationally, No. 13 among publics

Behavioral Sciences

• Economics: No. 31 nationally; No. 11 among publics
• Psychology: No. 37 nationally; No. 16 among publics 

Other notable rankings:

• Best college for veterans: No. 25 nationally; No. 17 among publics
• Best value for in-state students: No. 20 nationally
• Living-learning communities: No. 8 “program to look for”
• Most innovative: No. 25 among publics