The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is once again recognized as one of the top graduate schools for public affairs in the nation. According to the latest annual survey of graduate and professional schools by US News & World Report, the Humphrey School is ranked ninth out of 266 schools rated nationally.
The results, released today in the magazine’s Best Graduate Schools 2026 issue, place the Humphrey School program overall in the top 3 percent of all master’s degree programs in public affairs at U.S. institutions.
“This recognition reflects what we see at our School every day: students who arrive ready to lead and leave equipped to do it,” said Dean Nisha Botchwey. “That transformation is made possible by the dedicated faculty and staff who invest in their success every day. This year, we welcomed one of the strongest entering classes in our history, representing 39 countries, and made record investments in scholarship support to expand access.
“We are grateful that our peers recognize what our community has built together. Our reputation is grounded in the strength of our students and the faculty and staff who prepare them to lead. We remain committed to earning that recognition by delivering the education and prepared professionals our communities and world deserve,” she added.
US News & World Report also released rankings for specialty programs offered by public affairs schools, and several Humphrey School programs are ranked highly.
- Nonprofit management, No. 10
- Social policy, No. 10
- Urban policy, No. 13
- Environmental policy and management, No. 15
- Public management and leadership, No. 20
- Public policy analysis, No. 26
- Local government management, No. 27
The US News & World Report rankings are based on a survey of deans, directors, and department chairs representing 266 master’s degree programs in public affairs and administration at colleges and universities across the country. Two surveys were sent to each school.
Long noted for equipping students to play key roles in public life at the local, state, national, and global levels, the Humphrey School is respected for its role in shaping public policy, its focus on social justice and human rights, and its expertise in planning, leadership, and management. It offers six distinctive master’s degrees, a doctoral degree, and six certificate programs.
