Taylor is actually well-known among Christian colleges and “name recognition” doesn’t change anything (ever heard of “vetting”? Alphabet Agencies don’t think “oh I’ve heard of that college, let’s hire that kid”… they THOROUGHLY investigate you and everything about you, then put you through a lot of questioning and testing! )…
However, there’s no denying that for all “alphabet agencies”, you can’t beat UMD. Not for the name, but for the location. They all recruit there, including for internships. There’s a reason UMD has the #1 cybersecurity program in the country and that CS has its own entire college - it’s a springboard for all these agencies that work out of DC and surrounding areas - security, defense, government.
I get your concern about UMD being 1° large and 2° public.
First, look for communities of faith at UMD, and contact the student leaders.
Second: Plan to live in the dorms your first year. Look at substance-free dorms - to make friends, do try to join a Living Learning Community, and substance-free dorms/wellness dorms are usually welcoming to people of faith.
Third: Contact chaplains/pastors in the surrounding community (ask your own youth pastor for a congregation near the university). Ask for their schedule, if they have a shuttle to take students to worship services, to Bible Study, etc. Do they have College Student ministries?
This should help you find friends more easily.