TU rankings: Top 50 nationally, No. 1 in Maryland among public universities

September 18, 2023

Recent rankings affirm what many already know — Towson University is one of the top public universities in the nation.

After celebrating the largest first-year student class in university history, TU was named the No. 1 public university in Maryland, one of the top-10 in the North region and a top-50 public university in the nation in a series of recent rankings by national publications.

"Towson University is simply one of the best public universities in the nation, and these rankings support what our students and alumni have already known for some time," says Interim President Melanie Perreault. "With a record of high achievement for our entire student population, it is heartening to see TU recognized for its commitment to student success, inclusion and engagement. We will continue to ensure this momentum carries our outstanding institution to even greater heights."

The Wall Street Journal rankings, released earlier this month, place TU at No. 1 among all public universities in Maryland, and second to only Johns Hopkins among all universities — public or private — in the state. According to the publication, this year’s rankings placed greater emphasis on student outcomes, including four-year graduation rates and post-graduation salaries. TU ranked No. 50 among public universities in the nation, and No. 128 among all institutions, public or private.

On Monday, U.S. News and World Report's rankings placed TU at No. 6 among public universities in the North region — up three spots from last year's list. The publication released a series of other lists, and among them included TU at No. 5 among regional universities for veterans. 

Many national rankings heavily weighed metrics that show social mobility, affordability and student success as key factors. TU earns high marks in those categories thanks to its outstanding faculty, staff, intentional student support services and a culture of an inclusive campus community. 

In other recent rankings, Washington Monthly listed TU at No. 14 nationally among the Master's University category, and at No. 19 in the northeast for those cited as "Best Bang for the Buck."

Money magazine ranked TU among the top universities in the Northeast and among the nation's best public universities, with a 4.5-star rating.

TU enrolled more than 19,500 students in the fall term, including 3,014 first-year students — a university record for freshman enrollment at a time when many universities across the nation are struggling with enrollment figures.

In addition, TU recently closed its comprehensive campaign, raising more than $100 million through RISE, the Campaign for Towson University. As an anchor institution, its impact on Greater Baltimore is significant — contributing more than $2.1 billion of impact to the state's economy in the prior fiscal year.