UMD Hits All-time High in U.S. News Rankings: No. 16 Among Public Universities

The University of Maryland achieved its highest-ever ranking from U.S. News & World Report, climbing one place to No. 16 among public schools in the influential 2026 "Best Colleges" guide released Tuesday. UMD also rose two spots to No. 42 among national universities in the new list, reflecting a steady ascent over the last half-decade.

The university now has a combined 69 top-25 rankings for its schools, colleges, programs and specialties, according to U.S. News. Prospective students have relied on this data during college searches for more than four decades.

“We should all be proud to be part of a university that is celebrated for our academic excellence, bold research enterprise and unwavering commitment to student success,” university President Darryll J. Pines and Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice said in a joint email to the campus community.

The record-high rating is based on a number of factors, including improved student graduation and retention rates, increased spending on student educational experiences, higher faculty salaries and rising post-graduation student earnings.

“Rankings are but one measure of our university’s success, but offer important insight into our commitment to supporting our people, strengthening our academic foundation and making investments that drive impact in our communities and around the world,” said Pines and Rice.

U.S. News also examines academic fields and undergraduate programs in its rankings. UMD received high marks across disciplines, including the following categories:

Business

• UMD placed 24th overall and No. 14 among public institutions, with three specialties in the top 25:
  • Management information systems: No. 9 overall, No. 7 among publics
  • Management: No. 18 overall, No. 11 among publics
  • Supply chain management/logistics: No. 16 overall, No. 14 among publics

Computer Science

• UMD rose three spots to No. 16 nationally, and No. 9 among public institutions, with two specialties in the top 25:
  • Artificial intelligence: No. 17 overall, No. 9 among publics
  • Cybersecurity: No. 9 overall, No. 6 among publics

Engineering

• UMD was ranked No. 21 nationally and No. 12 among public institutions, with six specialties in the top 25:
  • Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical: No. 15 nationwide, No. 11 among publics
  • Biomedical engineering: No. 25 nationwide, No. 10 among publics
  • Civil engineering: No. 23 nationwide; No. 17 among publics
  • Computer engineering: No. 17 nationwide, No. 11 among publics
  • Electrical/electronic/communications engineering: No. 23 nationwide, No. 14 among publics
  • Mechanical engineering: No. 18 nationwide, No. 9 among publics

Behavioral Sciences

• Economics: No. 34 overall; No. 11 among publics
• Psychology: No. 43 overall; No. 22 among publics

Other notable rankings:

• Best college for veterans: No. 23 nationwide; No. 16 among publics
• Living-learning communities: No. 11 “program to look for”