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About St. Mary's / College Rankings

U.S. News & World Report

Best Liberal Arts Colleges

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College, is ranked No. 5 best public liberal arts college in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s “2026 Best Colleges.” The College ranks in the top 100 on the national liberal arts colleges list, public and private. Among public colleges, SMCM was the top liberal arts college after four military institutions with narrow, specialized missions.

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Princeton Review

Best Value Colleges

No. 2 Best School for Making an Impact (Public Schools) - 2025

No. 45 Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Public Schools) - 2025

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The Princeton Review. Used with permission. TPR Education IP Holding, LLC. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Princeton Review

391 Best Colleges 2026

Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation (No. 9)

Friendliest Students (No. 13)

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The Princeton Review. Used with permission. TPR Education IP Holding, LLC. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

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“Best Bang for the Buck”
for helping non-wealthy students obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

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Best Small Colleges in Maryland
(No. 2)

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
(No. 96)

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Best College Food in Maryland
(No. 1)

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Public Colleges of Distinction
Recognized by the Colleges of Distinction publication for offering a unique college experience that caters to students’ interests.

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Maryland Colleges of Distinction
Recognized in Maryland by the Colleges of Distinction publication based on student engagement, quality of teaching, vibrant community and successful post-graduate outcomes.

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Affordable Colleges of Distinction
Colleges of Distinction analyzed its top colleges list for net price and median debt to determine the most affordable Colleges of Distinction; St. Mary’s College is one of only three such institutions in the state of Maryland.

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Career Development Colleges of Distinction
Recognized by the Colleges of Distinction publication for exceeding expectations in the area of career development, equipping students with self-reflection, job market research and networking skills needed for their lifelong career journey.

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Education Colleges of Distinction
Recognized by the Colleges of Distinction publication for our committed implementation of high-impact educational practices, earning its title as one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction.

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges in The United States For International Students 2025
The Liberal Arts Colleges ranking showcases institutions that offer international students a top-tier interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on innovation and critical thinking. This ranking serves as a guide, helping international students find colleges with vibrant communities and outstanding resources for a holistic liberal arts experience abroad.

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Best and Most Interesting College
Recognized in the 2025 edition of Fiske Guide to Colleges. The guide sums up SMCM this way: “For those looking to be part of an intellectual community in a small-town setting, St. Mary’s College just might be a place to set sail.”

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Forbes Top Colleges 2026
Forbes’ top colleges ranking spotlights schools that offer an excellent education at a great price, graduate high-earners and propel students to become successful entrepreneurs and influential leaders in their fields.

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2025-26 Silver Military Friendly® School
(small public) The rating covers six categories in which a school is measured to be military friendly: academic policies and compliance; admissions and orientation; culture and commitment; financial aid and assistance; graduation and career; military student support and retention.

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Hidden Gems in the Mid-East U.S.
“Hidden Gem” schools are accessible, good schools that might be worthy of consideration in your college admission search.

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Tree Campus Higher Education
Recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Higher Education site for making trees and green space an integral part of the campus experience.

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2024-2025 Top Colleges: Affordability
St. Mary’s College has a great track record for offering affordable, quality education to students from any state according to Scholarships360. Of 1,800 eligible colleges, only 8% were selected for the list, based on lowest net price and average student debt, coupled with above-average graduation rates.