The University of Georgia’s graduate and professional programs are among the nation’s best, according to the 2024 edition of “Best Graduate Schools” from U.S. News and World Report. In this year’s rankings, several UGA schools, programs and specialties earned places in the top 10. 

“UGA’s graduate and professional students enjoy a world-class experience thanks to our renowned faculty, innovative career development programs and next-generation research and instructional facilities,” said S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “This year’s exceptional rankings reflect the university’s continuing investments in these and other strategic areas of graduate and professional education across all disciplines on our campus.”

UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs ranked fourth overall, up three places from 2023. SPIA also placed three programs in the top 5: leadership (No. 2), public finance (No. 3) and local government management (No. 5). Among public institutions, the school is tied for second in the nation.  

The College of Pharmacy jumped to No. 15 in the nation, up nine spots from its most recent ranking. 

UGA’s School of Law is again ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 7 among public institutions. Additionally, it was recently named the nation’s best value in legal education by The National Jurist — the fourth time in the last six years the school has occupied the top spot.

The School of Social Work moved up eight places to No. 20 nationally and now ranks No. 10 among public institutions. 

The Terry College of Business advanced to No. 27, up four places from 2023. Terry is No. 9 among public business schools, and Financial Times recently rated the University of Georgia’s full-time MBA the No. 1 value for the money worldwide. 

The Mary Frances Early College of Education moved up one spot from last year to No. 30, and several of its programs ranked in the top 10. Notably, the College of Education’s school counseling program ranked No. 1 in the nation. Other programs that ranked in the top 10 include curriculum and instruction (No. 8), elementary teacher education (No. 10) and secondary teacher education (No. 10). 

The higher education administration program in UGA’s Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education ranked No. 7 in the nation, continuing a run of top 10 rankings dating back to 2007.

The latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report coincide with a period of growing demand for graduate and professional training at UGA.

“As we further strengthen and expand our graduate programs, we will continue to see increased benefits accruing to our graduate students, their fields and their communities,” said Ron Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.

U.S. News & World Report’s graduate rankings are published separately from the magazine’s yearly ranking of undergraduate programs. The graduate rankings are based on surveys of academic leaders and, for select programs, additional quantitative measures including placement test scores, student/faculty ratios, research expenditures and job placement success.

U.S. News’ rankings of graduate and professional programs cover a small portion of the programs offered at UGA, and not all programs are ranked each year. UGA enrolls more than 10,000 graduate and professional students in more than 200 doctoral and master’s programs.

“As the flagship university in Georgia and one of the nation’s leading public research universities, UGA is committed to excellence in graduate and professional education,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Our outstanding graduate and professional programs are training scholars and leaders who are helping UGA advance every aspect of our mission for the benefit of our state, nation and world.”