Top-Ranked Graduate Programs at the University of Kansas
KU graduate programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report
In the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, released in 2026, KU placed 55 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities.
Eight programs rank in the top 10 among publics, with strength in education, public affairs, law, and health.
These rankings consider faculty expertise, research activity, and peer reputation—areas where KU shows up consistently.
Top 10 graduate programs at KU
- Special Education — No. 1
- Paleontology — No. 1
- Local Government Management — No. 3
- Education — No. 8
- Physical Therapy — No. 8
- Public Management & Leadership — No. 8
- Environmental Law — No. 9
- Speech-Language Pathology — No. 10
Top-ranked graduate programs by field
KU’s graduate programs span a range of disciplines, with consistent national recognition across education, public service, engineering, health, business, and more. Explore top-ranked programs by area of study.
Education and Public Service
Programs focused on improving systems, supporting communities, and preparing leaders.
- Special Education (No. 1)
- Education (No. 8)
- Public Affairs (No. 11)
- Urban Policy (No. 13)
- Public Finance & Budgeting (No. 13)
- Social Work (No. 22)
Law and Legal Studies
Programs grounded in practice, policy, and real-world application.
- Environmental Law (No. 9)
- Dispute Resolution (No. 18)
- Trial Advocacy (No. 21)
- Constitutional Law (No. 37)
- International Law (No. 36)
Engineering and Technical Fields
Programs that combine research and application across industries.
- Petroleum Engineering (No. 11)
- Aerospace Engineering (No. 37)
- Environmental Engineering (No. 44)
- Mechanical Engineering (No. 50)
- Chemical Engineering (No. 50)
Health and Clinical Fields
Programs focused on patient care, clinical practice, and system-level impact.
- Physical Therapy (No. 8)
- Occupational Therapy (No. 13)
- Nursing-Midwifery (No. 24)
- Pharmacy (No. 24)
- Clinical Psychology (No. 29)
Business and Economics
Programs centered on leadership, analysis, and decision-making.
- Full-Time MBA (No. 25)
- Business Analytics (No. 48)
- Finance (No. 40)
- Economics (No. 47)
What these rankings mean for you
Rankings tell part of the story. The better question is what a program helps you do next.
At KU, many of these programs are available in formats designed for working professionals, including online and flexible options.
You learn from KU faculty, work through applied coursework, and build skills you can use immediately.
Get personalized guidance on programs, deadlines, and next steps
A research university with national recognition
KU is a member of the Association of American Universities and a Carnegie R1 research institution.
That foundation shows up in the classroom—through faculty who are active in their fields and programs built around real-world application.
Top-ranked programs. Flexible paths.
Many KU programs are available in online or flexible formats.
That means you can keep moving forward without stepping away from your work, while earning the same degree and learning from the same faculty as on-campus students..
2026 graduate program rankings
The most recent U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings were released in 2026.
KU continues to be recognized across disciplines, with programs consistently ranked among the top public universities.
Frequently asked questions about KU graduate program rankings
The University of Kansas has 55 graduate programs ranked in the top 50 among public universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Eight KU programs rank in the top 10 among public universities, including special education, paleontology, local government management, education, physical therapy, public management and leadership, environmental law, and speech-language pathology.
KU graduate programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as part of its annual Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Many KU graduate programs are available in online or flexible formats. Online students learn from KU faculty, follow the same curriculum, and earn the same degree as on-campus students.