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The University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) earned six top-25 placements in the 2027 Best Graduate Schools list released by U.S. News & World Report.

Several CMNS programs improved in their 2027 rankings, including computer science, which rose four spots to No. 12, and physics, which rose three spots to No. 14. Other highlights include mathematics at No. 21 and three computer science specialties ranked in the top 20.

“I’m very pleased to see CMNS graduate programs continue to be recognized among the nation’s very best,” said CMNS Dean Amitabh Varshney. “This recognition reflects the outstanding work and dedication of our department chairs, graduate program directors, faculty members and students who strive for excellence every day.”Logo for U.S. News Best Grad Schools rankings.

U.S. News occasionally changes the number of categories it ranks and doesn’t rank all graduate programs or specialties annually. In 2027, the physics and mathematics programs were ranked, but their specialties were not ranked.

Current CMNS graduate program and specialty rankings include:

  • Computer science at No. 12 (7th among public institutions)
    • Artificial intelligence at No. 16
    • Systems at No. 17
    • Theory at No. 19
  • Physics at No. 14 (5th among public institutions)
    • Atomic/molecular/optical at No. 6
    • Quantum at No. 9
    • Condensed matter at No. 17
  • Mathematics at No. 21 (7th among public institutions)
    • Applied math at No. 15
    • Analysis at No. 24
  • Earth science at No. 40 (26th among public institutions)
  • Chemistry at No. 48 (26th among public institutions)
  • Biological sciences at No. 50 (25th among public institutions)
  • Statistics at No. 53 (35th among public institutions)

“These latest graduate school rankings show the University of Maryland’s strength across a wide variety of scholarly domains and specialties, from the physical and social sciences to business and education,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “We’re proud that our graduate programs are providing students with the vital knowledge and inspiration to address the most important challenges facing the world today.”

The only CMNS undergraduate program ranked by U.S. News is computer science, which climbed three spots this year to No. 16 overall, and ranks No. 9 for cybersecurity and No. 17 for artificial intelligence.

The U.S. News rankings are based on reputational surveys and widely used by prospective students when considering where to apply.

In 2025, the University of Maryland Department of Physics was ranked No. 19 globally in U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2025-26 Best Global Universities. Of U.S. campuses, only three public universities--and 10 overall--ranked higher in physics.