Best Research Universities in Maryland 2024
Interested in attending a STEM school in Maryland? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.
Best Research Universities in Maryland 2024
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Towson University
- Morgan State University
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Morgan State University
- Towson University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Morgan State University 85%
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
- Towson University 79%
- University of Maryland, College Park 45%
- Johns Hopkins University 7%
- University of Maryland, College Park 18 to 1
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County 18 to 1
- Morgan State University 17 to 1
- Towson University 15 to 1
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
- Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
- Johns Hopkins University $60,480
- University of Maryland, College Park $9,695
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056
- Towson University $7,238
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
- Morgan State University $5,477
- Johns Hopkins University $60,480
- University of Maryland, College Park $16,238
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
- Towson University $8,676
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
- Morgan State University $8,190
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Morgan State University
- Towson University
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Towson University
- Morgan State University
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Johns Hopkins University
- Johns Hopkins University 7%
- University of Maryland, College Park 45%
- Towson University 79%
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
- Morgan State University 85%
- Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
- Towson University 15 to 1
- Morgan State University 17 to 1
- University of Maryland, College Park 18 to 1
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County 18 to 1
- Morgan State University $5,477
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
- Towson University $7,238
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056
- University of Maryland, College Park $9,695
- Johns Hopkins University $60,480
- Morgan State University $8,190
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
- Towson University $8,676
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
- University of Maryland, College Park $16,238
- Johns Hopkins University $60,480
Colleges and Universities in Maryland
The Old Line State has 46 colleges and universities, 30 of which are public and 16 of which are private. The United States Naval Academy offers programs in physical sciences, aeronautical engineering, and naval architecture. The largest private institution, Johns Hopkins University, has just over 24,000 students and a tuition rate of $54,000. Located in Baltimore, this research university is known for its science and medical discoveries.
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The University of Maryland in College Park boasts over 35,000 students with a price tag of $11,000. The school has 15 campuses, and students can choose from areas of study like criminal justice, communications, physics, and sociology. The most affordable school in the state, Baltimore City Community College comes in at $3,000 and has 37 associate degree programs to choose from. Maryland also provides loan forgiveness programs for its residents, including those for dentists and public servants. Students can also check out the Maryland SmartBuy Home Buyer Assistance and Forgiveness Program, where eligible applicants can receive up to 15% of the home purchase price toward outstanding student loan, to be paid off as part of closing.
Maryland is a state bursting with history, from its numerous museums to its historic battlegrounds. Students who attend school in Maryland can explore the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park and walk the same streets as many influential Marylanders, including Francis Scott Key, Babe Ruth, Billie Holiday, and Thurgood Marshall.
Whether you’re looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Maryland offers its students history, legacy, and numerous degree paths.
What are Maryland’s Colleges & Universities?
- 6 Research Universities
- 18 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 13 Graduate Schools
- 13 Public Colleges & Universities
- 11 Private Colleges & Universities
- 4 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 15 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 13 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 16 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Maryland’s Best Overall
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 6 research universities in Maryland. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Best Research Universities in Maryland 2023
- #11 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #11 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #11 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #12 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
- #13 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
- #13 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2024
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #3 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
- #6 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees
- #11 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
- #12 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
- #14 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #15 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees
- #15 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
- #15 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
- #15 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
- #19 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees
- #22 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
- #1 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics 2025
- #1 Best Online MBA in Economics Degree Programs Ranked in 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies
- #1 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
- #1 Top 8 Best Online Public Health PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #1 Best Online Master's in Economics
- #2 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
- #2 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #2 Top 5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
- #2 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2024
- #3 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's in Management
- #3 Best Online Master’s in Finance
- #4 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
- #18 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #1 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #11 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1545/34
Career Outlook for degree at Johns Hopkins University
Cost of Degree: $60,480Expenses: $20,320Starting Salary: $89,300Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Johns Hopkins University known for?
Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #12 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #12 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #12 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #15 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #8 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #24 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland
- #3 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #8 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
- #9 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
45%
Graduation
89%
Student body
42K
Median SAT/ACT
1440/32
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, College Park
Cost of Degree: $11,233Expenses: $18,404Starting Salary: $70,800Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Maryland, College Park known for?
University of Maryland, College Park’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Sociology
- Engineering
- Political Science
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
70%
Student body
23K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/22
Career Outlook for degree at Towson University
Cost of Degree: $10,818Expenses: $17,902Starting Salary: $55,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Towson University known for?
Towson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- Computer Science
- History
- Medical
- Psychology
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 HBCU Doctoral Programs Online #7 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #18 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #5 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #7 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #2 HBCU MBA Programs Online
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland
- #9 Best Online Master's in Project Management 2025
- #11 Best HBCU Online Programs
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
970/18
Career Outlook for degree at Morgan State University
Cost of Degree: $8,008Expenses: $17,727Starting Salary: $42,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Morgan State University known for?
Morgan State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Morgan State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Cloud Computing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
70%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1300/26
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Cost of Degree: $12,606Expenses: $18,189Starting Salary: $59,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Maryland, Baltimore County known for?
University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Cost of Degree: $8,898Expenses: $17,656Starting Salary: $40,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Maryland Eastern Shore known for?
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Find the Best Research Universities in Maryland for Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.