Umd Named Top 20 Public University By U.S. News & World Report

University also ranked among Top 25 in inaugural "Most Innovative Schools" list.

Kristin Seabolt, UMD Right Now

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland has been ranked No. 19 among national public universities in the 2016 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. This is the 13th year that the university has been ranked in the top 20. In addition, UMD climbed five spots in the national rankings to No. 57. 

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on several key measures of quality, including assessment of excellence, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving. 

UMD improved in several factors this year that led to the No. 19 ranking. Reduced class sizes and improvements in student-to-faculty ratio contributed to an increase in the university's faculty resources rank. An increase in the university's 6-year graduation rate and freshman retention rate led to an overall increase in UMD's graduation and retention rank. UMD continues to have one of the top 20 highest 6-year graduation rates among public universities in the country.

“The quality of our education and research continues to rise, and our faculty, students and staff reach new heights,” said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh. “In the end, that is what matters most.”

UMD also ranked No. 21 overall for Most Innovative Schools, a new ranking which highlights universities that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities. The rankings were based on a survey of college presidents, admissions deans and provosts.

Read more here.