Towson University: TU Among Top 60 National Universities In ‘Washington Monthly' Ranking

Press release from Towson University:

Rebecca Kirkman

August 30, 2021

University is second-highest ranking institution in Maryland, earns high marks for
value, social mobility, student voting

Towson University ranked 58th among 391 national universities in the 2021 College Guide and Rankings published by Washington Monthly in late August. It is the highest-ranked University
System of Maryland institution on the list.

TU is the second-highest ranked institution in Maryland on the overall list (Johns
Hopkins University is first at No. 7) and sits seven spots higher than University
of Maryland, College Park (No. 65). Among public universities on the list, TU is in
the top 35.

To create the rankings, the publication analyzed data from 1,466 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 a national leader in inclusive excellence
and as an institution that is deeply committed to the success of all of its students,”
says President Kim Schatzel. “TU fosters real-world opportunities through access to
world-class faculty, research opportunities and community engagement initiatives.
This fall, we’re excited to welcome our students back to a rich and vibrant fall term
complete with on-campus learning, living and working.”

The accolades don’t stop there. In the sub-category of social mobility, TU is 35th
overall and is the only Maryland institution in the top 50. The university also ranked
10th among national universities in graduation rate performance, which includes the
percentage of students who graduate in eight years.

When it comes to affordability, TU also gets high marks. The university ranked No.
30 in the Northeast region on the publication’s “2021 Best Bang for the Buck” list—the highest-ranking university in Maryland.

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 16 institutions nationwide with a student voter registration
rate above 85%.

“The Monthly rates institutions of higher learning on the degree to which they recruit
and graduate students of modest means, produce the scholarship and scholars that drive
economic growth and human flourishing, and encourage students to be active citizens
and serve their country,” says the publication in a release.

This fall, Towson University is welcoming its most diverse first-year student class in its 155-year history. Of the 2,610 first-time students, 58.5% identify as a racial
or ethnic minority and 22% of first-time students identify as first generation.

TU continues to be a national leader in inclusive learning. The minority student population
maintains the same graduation rate as the entire student body (71%). This number includes
TU’s African American student graduation rate (73% compared to the national average
of 45%) and the Latinx student graduation rate (69% compared to the national average
of 57%).

Other Maryland institutions on the publication’s national university ranking include
Johns Hopkins University (7), University of Maryland, College Park (65), UMBC (150),
Morgan State University (297) and University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (362).

Learn more about how Towson University is ranked by publications and websites.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.