23 MD Colleges Among Best In America, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

Baltimore, MD - Sept. 24, 2024 - Nearly two dozen Maryland colleges were ranked among the best in the country, according to a new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Maryland schools:

National Universities:

• No. 6 (tied) Johns Hopkins University
• No. 44 (tied) University of Maryland, College Park
• No. 144 (tied) University of Maryland Baltimore County
• No. 342 (tied) Morgan State University
• No. 388 (tied) University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Capitol Technology University

National Liberal Arts Colleges:

• No. 4 United States Naval Academy
• No. 83 (tied) St. John's College (MD)
• No. 95 Washington College
• No. 100 St. Mary's College of Maryland
• No. 126 Goucher College

Regional Universities (North):

• No. 6 (tied) Loyola University Maryland
• No. 15 (tied) Towson University
• No. 49 (tied) Salisbury University
• No. 60 (tied) Hood College
• No. 66 (tied) Notre Dame of Maryland University
• No. 81 (tied) Mount St. Mary's University
• No. 81 (tied) Stevenson University
• No. 84 (tied) McDaniel College
• No. 84 (tied) University of Baltimore
• No. 91 (tied) Frostburg State University
• No. 120 (tied) Bowie State University
• No. 151-#165 Coppin State University
• No. 151-#165 Washington Adventist University

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

The top national universities are:

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University in Massachusetts
4. Stanford University in California
5. Yale University in Connecticut

The top national liberal arts colleges are:

1. Williams College in Massachusetts
2. Amherst College in Massachusetts
3. Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
4. United States Naval Academy in Maryland
5. Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)