TU ranks among top 30 public universities in the nation

By Rebecca Kirkman on September 3, 2020

Towson University’s emphasis on inclusion and equity, research and public service has placed it among the nation’s most elite higher education institutions in a newly released ranking of the best colleges in the U.S.

TU placed 55th in the 2020 National University Rankings published by Washington Monthly, just one spot after Johns Hopkins University (No. 54).

The university was among the top 30 public universities on the list and ranked 31st in the sub-category for social mobility, a jump of 10 points from its 2019 ranking. It also made the list of Northeast colleges offering the “best bang for the buck” at No. 33.

To create the rankings, the publication analyzed data from 1,469 public, private nonprofit, and for-profit institutions across the country in three equally weighted sections: social mobility, research and community and national service. Washington Monthly considers military, public and community service as well as graduation rates and future earnings of low-income students in its scoring.

“Towson University continues to be recognized as one of the best universities in the U.S.,” says President Kim Schatzel. “TU creates real-world opportunities through access to world-class faculty, research, volunteerism and community engagement initiatives, and through innovative partnerships in Greater Baltimore and Maryland that connect the university’s expertise with the community’s need.”

In a testament to work led by the Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility, TU also made the publication’s roundup of America’s Best Colleges for Student Voting, where it is one of just nine institutions with a student voter registration rate above 85%.

“The Monthly ranks schools on how well they serve the country as a whole,” says Washington Monthly in a release, “by recruiting and graduating non-wealthy students, encouraging student activism and producing research and technologies that create high-paying jobs and address threats like climate change.”

Other University System of Maryland institutions on the list include University of Maryland-College Park (50) and UMBC (170).

This ranking follows the university’s recognition as one of the best colleges in America by value.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland, Diverse and Inclusive Campus, and Culture of Philanthropy.