Top 10 Graduate Schools by Degree

It’s impossible to rank the best graduate schools overall, as there are many different degree programs within each school, and some have greater strengths than others. As a result, rankings are compiled by examining each degree program within a school. A graduate school that ranks number "1" in one masters degree program, may very well have a lower ranking in another.

US News creates their rankings by surveying thousands of academics and professionals from schools over the period of Fall 2009. Other factors considered are acceptance rate, employment after graduation and average test scores.

Keep in mind that these rankings should be used as a supplement to your graduate school search. Every person's graduate school needs are different, so you should first consider what type of program fits best for you before consulting the ratings.

When it's time for you to choose the best graduate program, other information to look at include admissions requirements, program features, quality of facilities and whether or not you want to attend an online school or a traditional bricks-and mortar school.

Masters in Public Health:

1. Harvard University
2. Johns Hopkins University
3. New York University
4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
5. University of California, Berkeley
6. Duke University
7. George Washington University, Washington DC
8. Syracuse University
9. University of Southern California
10. Carnegie Mellon University

Masters in Psychology:

1. Stanford University
2. University of California, Berkeley
3. Harvard University
4. University of California, Los Angeles
5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
6. Yale University
7. University of Illinois, Urbana, Champaign
8. Princeton University
9. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Masters in Education:

1. Vanderbilt University, Nashville
2. Harvard University
3. The University of Texas at Austin
4. Stanford University
5. Teachers College at Columbia University
6. University of California, Los Angeles
7. Northwestern University
8. University of Oregon
9. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Masters in Business Management:

1. Harvard University
2. Stanford University
3. Northwestern University
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
6. Dartmouth College
7. University of California, Berkeley
8. University of Virginia
9. Duke University
10. Columbia University in the City of New York

Masters in Nursing:

1. Johns Hopkins University
2. University of Pennsylvania
3. University of Washington, Seattle Campus
4. University of California, San Francisco
5. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
6. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
7. Duke University
8. Oregon Health & Science University
9. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Shadyside School of Nursing
10. Yale University

Masters in Social Work:

1. University of California, Berkeley
2. University of Wisconsin, Madison
3. Princeton University
4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
5. Harvard University
6. Stanford University
7. The University of Chicago
8. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
9. Northwestern University
10. University of California, Los Angeles

Masters in Healthcare Administration:

1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
3. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. University of Alabama, Birmingham
6. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
7. Northwestern University
8. University of Washington, Seattle Campus
9. Rush University
10. Saint Louis University

Related Graduate School: The World of Advanced Degrees Articles

Things to Know Before You Apply To Graduate School
Is Graduate School a Good Investment?
What Types of Graduate Studies are Available?
How to Choose the Best Graduate Program
Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a Graduate School
What to Expect From Graduate School

See All College Planning as an Adult Student Articles