U.S. News & World Report released its annual national rankings of graduate schools of education on March 16, 2016, with the Neag School of Education ranking No. 26 in the nation, up five slots this year from No. 31. Among public graduate schools of education, the Neag School ranks at No. 16, up from No. 21. University of Maryland, College Park, also a public institution, is tied with the Neag School. This is the second consecutive year in which the Neag School saw a rise in its U.S. News rankings.

In addition, the 2017 U.S. News rankings ranks four of the Neag School’s specialty programs among the top 20 in the nation:

• Special Education, No. 12
• Educational Psychology, No. 14
• Secondary Teacher Education, No. 14 (tie)
• Educational Administration and Supervision, No. 18 (tie)

“We continue to have immense pride in our Neag School faculty scholars and our exceptional student body. It is their talent and ongoing hard work from year to year that helps to earn the Neag School this level of distinction.”

— Dean Richard L. Schwab

The methodology used for the U.S. News rankings of specialty programs differs from overall rankings, in that the former are based solely on nominations by education deans and education school deans of graduate studies.

“With the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School rankings among several of the ratings systems in effect today, it is a pleasure to have our strengths as a leading school of education recognized in this way,” says Dean Richard L. Schwab. “We continue to have immense pride in our Neag School faculty scholars and our exceptional student body. It is their talent and ongoing hard work from year to year that helps to earn the Neag School this level of distinction.”

Graduate education programs at 376 schools granting education doctoral degrees were surveyed in the fall of 2015; 255 schools provided the data needed to calculate rankings based on 10 specific measures, including student selectivity and research activity. Complete information regarding U.S. News rankings methodologies for 2017 can be accessed here.

Find a complete list of the 2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Education Schools rankings online.