Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University is once again proving itself as a national leader in graduate education. In the newly released 2025-26 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, IU achieved more top 10 and top 20 rankings than any other university in the state. With 17 programs and specialty areas in the top 10 and 35 in the top 20, IU continues to build on its reputation for academic excellence and professional preparation.
One of IU’s biggest achievements comes from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, whose Master of Public Affairs program has held on to its impressive No. 2 spot in the nation. The school also maintained top rankings in several specialty areas including environmental policy and management, public finance and budgeting, public management and leadership, and nonprofit management. All of these remain at No. 1, solidifying O’Neill’s position as a powerhouse in public affairs education.
“O’Neill’s specialty programs are especially noteworthy; with expert faculty and experiential programs, our graduate students are well prepared to make a difference by leading for the greater good,” said O’Neill School Dean Siân Mooney. “Year after year, O’Neill ranks as one of the top two public affairs schools.”
The school’s nonprofit management specialty continues to stand out, with the Bloomington campus ranked No. 1 and the Indianapolis campus coming in at No. 2. Even though U.S. News did not update public affairs specialty rankings this year, the O’Neill School’s strong placement shows the consistency and lasting impact of its programs. In total, O’Neill had 13 specialty areas in the top 20, with eight from Bloomington in the top 10.
IU President Pamela Whitten praised the university’s faculty and programs for their continued success. “IU has a lot to be proud of when it comes to our graduate programs,” she said. “Our dedicated faculty shape top-notch programs that provide exceptional academic opportunities and professional training. These nationally recognized programs equip our graduate students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers while making meaningful contributions to their communities.”
The Kelley School of Business in Bloomington also performed strongly, ranking No. 7 among public universities and No. 22 overall. Several of its graduate specialties landed in the top 20 nationally, including accounting at No. 7, and entrepreneurship, information systems, and production/operations all tied at No. 12. The school’s part-time MBA program ranked No. 16, while its international business and marketing programs each secured the No. 18 spot.
The IU School of Education in Bloomington also earned high marks, with four specialties ranking in the national top 10. Student counseling and personnel services came in at No. 3, elementary teacher education at No. 8, and both secondary teacher education and higher education administration tied at No. 10. The school also remains in the top 20 for curriculum and instruction programs, further reflecting its strength in shaping future educators.
“These rankings demonstrate IU Bloomington’s commitment to providing our students with a meaningful education that prepares them for jobs that change our communities for the better,” said IU Bloomington Provost Rahul Shrivastav. “This distinction is a testament to the work of our world-class faculty and staff who empower students to reach their highest potential.”
Several other programs across the university received national recognition. The College of Arts and Sciences saw top 20 placements in audiology, clinical psychology, psychology, sociology, and speech-language pathology. The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering also earned top spots for its library and information studies programs—ranking No. 9 in Bloomington and No. 19 in Indianapolis.
On the legal side, the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis saw its legal writing specialty land at No. 17 nationally. Meanwhile, the Master of Health Administration program at the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis was ranked No. 19 in the health care management category.
With such broad success across various disciplines, Indiana University continues to be a key driver of educational quality and career preparation across the state and beyond. Its growing list of nationally ranked programs speaks to the university’s ongoing investment in academic rigor, real-world training, and student success.
For the full list of Indiana University’s graduate program rankings, visit the U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools website.
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