These Are IL's Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

Thirty-six colleges in Illinois were ranked among the Best Graduate Schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report, which released its annual rankings Tuesday.

The rankings, intended as a guide for prospective graduate students, evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including engineering, medicine, business, law, education, nursing and social sciences.

In Illinois, the following institutions made the rankings:

Business

3. University of Chicago (Booth)

4. (tie) Northwestern University (Kellogg)

123-134. DePaul University (Kellstadt)

Law

2. University of Chicago

9. Northwestern University (Pritzker)

46. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

77. Loyola University Chicago

105. Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent)

131. DePaul University

161. Northern Illinois University

167. University of Illinois Chicago

175-194. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Medical (Research)

Tier 2: Rush University

Tier 2: University of Illinois

Medical (Primary Care)

Tier 2: University of Illinois

Tier 4: Rush University

Engineering

6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger)

16. Northwestern University (McCormick)

68. University of Illinois Chicago

105. Illinois Institute of Technology (Armour)

177-194. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Nursing

22. (tie) University of Illinois Chicago

29. (tie) Rush University

103. DePaul University

114. Lewis University

119. Elmhurst University

Education

2. Northwestern University

32. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

64. University of Illinois Chicago

95 (tie). Illinois State University

95 (tie). Loyola University Chicago

149. DePaul University

194. Lewis University

219. University of St. Francis

238–263. Judson University

238-263. McKendree University

Because each program is different, the rankings methodologies vary by discipline and graduate degree level.

"We know a graduate degree is a major commitment. That is why we are dedicated to methodologies that thoroughly examine a wide range of factors, from research excellence to career success,” LaMont Jones, managing editor of Education at U.S. News, said in a statement. “These rankings are a powerful tool for prospective students, offering clarity and confidence as they approach their most critical educational choice.”

Here are the top schools by category:

Best Engineering Schools

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2. Stanford University

3. University of California, Berkeley

Best Nursing Schools: Master’s Programs

1. Emory University

2. Johns Hopkins University

3. Duke University (tie)

3. Ohio State University (tie)

Best Nursing Schools: DNP Programs

1. Johns Hopkins University

2. Emory University

3. Rush University

Best Fine Arts Schools: Master’s (MFA)

1. Yale University

2. Carnegie Mellon University (tie)

2. Rhode Island School of Design (tie)

2. University of California – Los Angeles (tie)

2. Virginia Commonwealth University (tie)

Best Medical Schools: Research

Schools placing in the top tier include the following: Baylor College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Emory University, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Alix), Ohio State University, University of California – Los Angeles (Geffen), University of California – San Diego, University of California – San Francisco, University of Colorado, University of Florida, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rochester, University of South Florida (Morsani), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Yale University.

Best Medical Schools: Primary Care

Schools placing in the top tier include the following: Dartmouth College (Geisel), East Carolina University (Brody), Saint Louis University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of California – Davis, University of California – San Diego, University of California – San Francisco, University of Hawaii – Manoa (Burns), University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of New Mexico, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Western University of Health Sciences, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.