Why Maryland

At the University of Maryland, we have never been afraid to think big, never shied away from bold moves, powerful actions or doing what‘s right, rather than what's easy. And we never stand still. As the state’s flagship institution, we’ve always moved fearlessly forward—propelling discovery, driving progress and transforming life and lives across Maryland and around the world. 

Today, we stand at a defining moment. Our momentum is undeniable, and our impact is growing. We are launching breakthrough research to solve humanity’s most urgent challenges. We are leading in quantum science and revolutionizing artificial intelligence for the public good. We are inspiring the next generation of leaders and building inclusive communities where innovative ideas can take hold. The University of Maryland is not just keeping pace with the future. We’re accelerating it. 

This is the promise of Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless, which is an invitation to all those who believe in the power of higher education to shape a better tomorrow. Forward unites the Terrapin community to show the world what Maryland can do now. 

We are on the cusp of unprecedented transformation. This moment won’t wait. The challenges we face are urgent, and our ability to meet them depends on deep investment, visionary leadership and belief in what we can achieve together. 

We call upon the strength of our Terrapin community to push the edge of possibility forward. Forward for tomorrow's trailblazers. Forward for bold and brave solutions. Forward for stronger communities.

Forward for a better future for all.

Rising rankings. The University of Maryland achieved its highest-ever ranking from U.S. News & World Report, climbing to No. 16 among public schools in the influential 2026 "Best Colleges" guide. UMD also rose to No. 42 among national universities, reflecting a rapid ascent over the last half-decade.

Stellar students. UMD is in demand, tallying a record 66,000 applicants to join the Class of 2029. And our admitted Terps tout the strongest credentials we’ve ever seen, including a 4.47 average GPA. Not only that, students here are completing their degrees: The university ranks No. 10 for graduation rates among all U.S. public four-year universities. 

A desired destination. Just minutes from the state and U.S. capitals, our campus is ideally located to connect students and faculty members with organizations, thought leaders, policymakers and partners in industry. Long associated with nearby federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, we’re poised to lead a new NASA mission, thanks to our links with Goddard Space Flight Center. The Washington Commanders’ recent relocation of its front offices to our Discovery District has given students new internship opportunities. This booming innovation hub just off campus has also attracted government and private sector partners including the Food and Drug Administration, Adobe, Capital One and Microsoft. 

A robust research enterprise. Even in a challenging federal funding environment, the University of Maryland continues to attract strong public and private research support. The latest Higher Education Research and Development Survey by the National Science Foundation, the most widely recognized national ranking of its kind, placed the University of Maryland at No. 18 among U.S. institutions—a new peak. UMD also ranked 11th nationally among public institutions in research and development spending in that report. We’re counted as one research enterprise with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and together we had combined R&D expenditures of almost $1.4 billion, up nearly $157 million from the previous year.