MSU graduate programs ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report

In its 2023 America’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized five of Michigan State University’s graduate programs as first in the nation, with several others appearing in the top 20. MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program and elementary and secondary education graduate programs all continued long-running streaks at No. 1.

“The continued high rating of our graduate programs is testament to the excellence of our faculty and staff — the core of our Spartan community,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “Students seeking graduate degrees come to MSU for our high-caliber programs and because they know they will learn from and work with some of the most talented faculty in their fields.”

The College of Education continued its track record of distinction by ranking No. 1 for elementary and secondary education since 1995. For the fourth year in a row, the college is ranked No. 1 in curriculum and instruction.

The College of Education has eight graduate programs ranked in the top 20.

• No. 1 — Curriculum and instruction
• No. 1 — Elementary education
• No. 1 — Secondary education
• No. 2 — Educational administration and supervision
• No. 2 — Higher education administration
• No. 6 — Educational psychology
• No. 8 — Education policy
• No. 12 — Special education

“We are excited and honored to learn that our college has been recognized so positively in the rankings,” said Ann Austin, interim dean of the College of Education. “These recognitions reflect the commitment to excellence in our teaching, research and outreach expressed by our faculty, staff and students.”

In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 rankings, the supply chain and logistics graduate program in the Eli Broad College of Business gained the No. 1 spot over the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now, for six years straight, MSU continues as the top graduate program in supply chain — along with more than a decade as the No. 1 undergraduate program in supply chain.

The Eli Broad College of Business has three graduate programs ranked in the top 20.

• No. 1 — Supply chain/logistics
• No. 9 — Production/operations
• No. 20 — International business

“Michigan State University's ranking is a testament to the Broad College being considered a top-of-mind business school. This ranking is a direct result of the quality of the curriculum in our MBA program, the caliber and enthusiasm of our world-class faculty and the dedication of our staff to providing a superior student experience,” said Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean Sanjay Gupta. “Our program not only gives students the tools to build their future and achieve success in their career but also the knowledge and skills to lead tomorrow’s business.”

The nuclear physics graduate program in the College of Natural Science maintained its No. 1 ranking for the 13th year in a row. The program at MSU is especially unique as many students have access to opportunities at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at the East Lansing campus. FRIB is a one-of-a-kind U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility that will host the world’s most powerful heavy-ion accelerator.

“Congratulations to the excellent faculty, staff and students who are pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology for this well-deserved top ranking,” said Phil Duxbury, dean of the College of Natural Science. “The MSU nuclear physics graduate program in our Department of Physics and Astronomy continues to strengthen and broaden with the ribbon-cutting for the new-state-of-the-art Facility for Rare Isotope Beams in May 2022. Researchers from across the world will be attracted to MSU to use this facility, providing even more unique experiences for the many students in the program.”

Other MSU graduate programs ranked in the top 20:

• No. 2 — Industrial organizational psychology
• No. 12 — Biological and agricultural engineering
• No. 16 — Econometrics

U.S. News & World Report does not rank all graduate programs annually. For a complete list of MSU program rankings, visit MSU Facts. U.S. News & World Report bases individual disciplinary program rankings on peer assessments of deans and program directors across the given field nationwide.

Learn more about graduate education at MSU.