UW-Madison graduate programs ranked high by U.S. News in 2020 guide

UW-Madison graduate programs are once again ranked among the nation’s best in the 2020 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools.”

“Our graduate programs provide students the opportunity to learn from and be mentored by world-class faculty who encourage curiosity and creativity,” says William Karpus, dean of UW–Madison’s Graduate School. “I am proud of the faculty and staff who work hard to prepare our students for careers in their chosen fields as well as inspire them to continue learning by asking the most important questions.”

U.S. News does not rank all programs each year. View last year’s rankings.

The School of Education was the highest-rated public school of education, tied with the University of California, Los Angeles, and ranked third overall. In addition, the school is home to nine specialty programs ranked among the top 10 in the nation: First in rehabilitation counseling (two-way tie); second in curriculum and instruction; second in educational administration and supervision (two-way tie); second in educational psychology; third in education policy; third in student counseling and personnel services (three-way tie); fourth in elementary education; fifth in secondary education; eighth in special education; higher education, 20th.

“It is an honor to again be recognized as one of the finest schools of education by U.S. News and World Report,” says Dean Diana Hess. “While these rankings are but one measure, they are special because they recognize the collective contributions of our many talented and dedicated faculty and staff. The depth of our highly regarded programs is a great strength of ours.”

Several other UW–Madison programs were also recognized for their performance:

Business: 35th for top MBA program; 22nd part-time MBA program (six-way tie). Ranked specialties: Accounting, 40th.

Engineering: 22nd (two-way tie). Ranked specialties: Biological/agriculture 12th (three-way tie), biomedical 24th (four-way tie), chemical 10th (two-way tie), civil 17th (four-way tie), computer 12th (three-way tie), electrical 16th (three-way tie), environmental 18th (five-way tie), industrial sixth (three-way tie), materials 16th (four-way tie), mechanical 17th (six-way tie), nuclear fourth.

Health Specialties: 46th in public health (eight-way tie), physician assistant 15th (six-way tie), social work 13th (four-way tie), veterinary medicine 8th.

Law: 34th. Ranked specialties: Clinical training 33rd (seven-way tie), health care law 32nd (four-way tie), international law 27th (four-way tie) and trial advocacy 43rd (12-way tie).

Medicine: 27th in medical research (two-way tie), 16th in primary care. Ranked specialties: Family medicine eighth (two-way tie), radiology 20th (two-way tie), surgery 22nd.

Nursing: 24th for schools with a doctor of nursing practice (four-way tie).

Public Affairs: 25th (eight-way tie). Ranked specialties: Health policy and management 9th (two-way tie), public management and leadership 20th, public policy analysis 15th, social policy fifth (two-way tie).

Read the full U.S. News rankings.