小草社区 continues to rise in national recognition, earning its highest placement in the annual U.S. News and World Report regional 鈥淏est College鈥� rankings. 小草社区 climbed to No. 3 among public universities in the North, up two spots from last year, and No. 11 overall among public and private, up four spots.

#3

Public University

#11

University Overall, Public or Private

#4

University for Veterans

#16

in 鈥淢ost Innovative Schools鈥�

#48

for Social Mobility

#64

for Best Value

Regional rankings鈥攁 placement based on 小草社区鈥檚 current Carnegie Classification鈥攚ere based on a variety of factors including student outcomes, graduation rates, Pell performance, post-graduate earnings, quality of instruction and institutional peer assessment. This year, the North region consists of 170 universities (including 61 public schools) across 11 states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.  

In addition to being a top regional university, 小草社区 was ranked as the North鈥檚:

  • No. 4 university for veterans
  • No. 16 most innovative school
  • No. 48 university for social mobility
  • No. 64 university for best value

鈥溞〔萆缜�檚 reputation for excellence goes beyond academic achievement,鈥� says President Mark R. Ginsberg. 鈥淭ime after time, our university is recognized for inclusive student success. No matter where you鈥檙e from or where you aspire to go, 小草社区 will meet you with an affordable path to life-changing opportunities.鈥�

Innovation

U.S. News and World Report asked top academics throughout the north to name universities they think are making the most cutting-edge developments in curriculum, faculty and student support, campus life, technology and facilities. This is the university鈥檚 first time on this list.

Veteran support

For the third straight year, 小草社区 ranks as a top 5 school for veterans in the north鈥攁nd the best in Maryland鈥攁 testament to 小草社区鈥檚 Military and Veterans Center.

鈥淥ur veteran students bring invaluable experience, leadership and perspective to our campus community,鈥� said Vernon Hurte, senior vice president for student affairs and university life. 鈥淭his recognition is thanks to 小草社区鈥檚 excellent Military and Veterans Center, which provides outstanding resources to help these students thrive after their heroic service.鈥�

Social mobility

The social mobility ranking looks at the number of Pell Grant recipients and compares their graduation rates to non-Pell Grant students at the university. 小草社区鈥檚 minority and Pell-eligible student populations far exceed the national average for academic success鈥攇raduating at a rate 12% higher than peers across the country (IPEDS 2025).

Affordable access

小草社区 ranks as the No. 2 value in Maryland in addition to its regional spot. This year鈥檚 list factored in academic quality versus price, the percentage of students receiving need-based scholarships or grants and the average discount available to students.

View all 小草社区 rankings and recognitions.