Best Research Universities in Maryland 2024

Badge for BEST IN MARYLAND RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

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

Sort by:
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Maryland, College Park
  3. Towson University
  4. Morgan State University
  5. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  6. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Maryland, College Park
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  4. Morgan State University
  5. Towson University
  6. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  1. Morgan State University 85%
  2. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
  4. Towson University 79%
  5. University of Maryland, College Park 45%
  6. Johns Hopkins University 7%
  1. University of Maryland, College Park 18 to 1
  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 18 to 1
  3. Morgan State University 17 to 1
  4. Towson University 15 to 1
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
  6. Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
  1. Johns Hopkins University $60,480
  2. University of Maryland, College Park $9,695
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056
  4. Towson University $7,238
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
  6. Morgan State University $5,477
  1. Johns Hopkins University $60,480
  2. University of Maryland, College Park $16,238
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
  4. Towson University $8,676
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
  6. Morgan State University $8,190
  1. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  3. Morgan State University
  4. Towson University
  5. University of Maryland, College Park
  6. Johns Hopkins University
  1. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  2. Towson University
  3. Morgan State University
  4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  5. University of Maryland, College Park
  6. Johns Hopkins University
  1. Johns Hopkins University 7%
  2. University of Maryland, College Park 45%
  3. Towson University 79%
  4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
  6. Morgan State University 85%
  1. Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
  2. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
  3. Towson University 15 to 1
  4. Morgan State University 17 to 1
  5. University of Maryland, College Park 18 to 1
  6. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 18 to 1
  1. Morgan State University $5,477
  2. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
  3. Towson University $7,238
  4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056
  5. University of Maryland, College Park $9,695
  6. Johns Hopkins University $60,480
  1. Morgan State University $8,190
  2. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
  3. Towson University $8,676
  4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
  5. University of Maryland, College Park $16,238
  6. 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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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?

Maryland’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Maryland's Best Research Universities Badge
Download Badge

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).

Back to Top

Best Research Universities in Maryland 2023

  1. #1

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    #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

    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: $60,480
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $89,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Johns Hopkins University known for?

    Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Maryland, College Park

    College Park , MD
    #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

    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: $11,233
    Expenses: $18,404
    Starting Salary: $70,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Maryland, College Park known for?

    University of Maryland, College Park’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Morgan State University

    Baltimore , MD
    #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

    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: $8,008
    Expenses: $17,727
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    Compare school
  5. #5

    University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Baltimore , MD
    #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: $12,606
    Expenses: $18,189
    Starting Salary: $59,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Maryland, Baltimore County known for?

    University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    University of Maryland Eastern Shore

    Princess Anne , MD
    #9 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

    Cost of Degree: $8,898
    Expenses: $17,656
    Starting Salary: $40,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Maryland Eastern Shore known for?

    University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
Back to Top

Find the Best Research Universities in Maryland for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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.

  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Maryland, College Park
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  4. Towson University
  5. Morgan State University
  6. University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here