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UMD Climbs to No. 17 Among Public Universities in U.S. News’ Ranking

Record-High Placement Reflects Improvements in Graduation Rates, Student-to-Faculty Ratio, Alums’ Earnings

By Maryland Today Staff

UMD's sundial serves as a foreground element as students, blurred by a slow camera shutter speed, walk by in the backround. In the distance, McKeldin Library looms majestically.

UMD achieved its highest position ever in the U.S. News & World Report undergraduate ranking, rising two spots to No. 44. The university also ranked No. 17 among public institutions of higher education, its best outing in more than a decade.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle

The University of Maryland rose to No. 44 among national universities in rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report, its best-ever showing—and a 20-position leap since 2020.

UMD also jumped two spots to No. 17 among public schools, its highest in over a decade, in the influential 2025 "Best Colleges" guide. The university now has a combined 71 top-25 rankings for its schools, colleges, programs and specialties, according to U.S. News.

“We should all be proud to be part of a university that is recognized across the board for our academic excellence, research enterprise, workplace environment, student experience and commitment to inclusivity,” university President Darryll J. Pines and Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice said in a joint email to the campus community.

[UMD Graduate Programs Earn High Marks in Latest U.S. News Rankings]

UMD’s improved graduation and retention rates, faculty salaries, student-to-faculty ratio, incoming student test scores and graduate earnings all led to the university’s record-high rating.

“While rankings are but one measure of success, their deeper meaning is a reflection of our work as a university community to achieve excellence in all we do—including the investments we’ve made in our people,” said Pines and Rice.

U.S. News also examines academic fields and undergraduate programs in its rankings, which prospective students have relied on during college searches for more than four decades. UMD received high marks in the following categories:

Business

  • UMD placed 23rd overall and No. 13 among public institutions, with three specialties in the top 25:
    • Management information systems: No. 9 overall, No. 7 among publics
    • Management: No. 17 overall, No. 11 among publics
    • Supply chain management/logistics: No. 16 overall, No. 14 among publics

Computer Science

  • UMD ranked No. 19 nationally and No. 11 among public institutions, with three specialties in the top 25:
    • Artificial intelligence: No. 12 overall, No. 5 among publics
    • Cybersecurity: No. 13 overall, No. 9 among publics
    • Computer systems: No. 18 overall; No. 11 among publics

Engineering

  • UMD rose to No. 16 nationally and No. 9 among public institutions, with six specialties in the top 25:
    • Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical: No. 11 nationwide, No. 7 among publics
    • Civil engineering: No. 20 nationwide; No. 15 among publics
    • Computer engineering: No. 17 nationwide, No. 11 among publics
    • Electrical/electronic/communications engineering: No. 24 nationwide, No. 14 among publics
    • Mechanical engineering: No. 17 nationwide, No. 11 among publics
    • Materials engineering: No. 23 nationwide, No. 16 among publics

Behavioral Sciences

  • Economics: No. 30 overall; No. 9 among publics
  • Psychology: No. 34 overall; No. 16 among publics

Other notable rankings:

  • Best college for veterans: No. 24 nationwide; No. 17 among publics
  • Most innovative: No. 21 among publics
  • Best undergraduate teaching: No. 22 among publics
  • Living-learning communities: No. 10 “program to look for”

Over the past year, Maryland has received the following recognitions for its academic programs, research enterprise, workplace environment and student experience. These include:

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