In its 2025-26 Best Graduate Schools rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized four of MSU’s graduate programs as first in the nation, including two programs recognized as No. 1 for more than 30 years.

“As a leading global public research university, MSU understands the vital role that graduate education plays in cultivating the next generation of innovators, experts and knowledge leaders,” said MSU Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko. “The continued high rankings of our graduate programs affirm the high quality of our talented faculty, their contributions to their respective fields of study, and the positive impact they make in supporting our graduate student scholars.”

The MSU College of Education continues to maintain its array of highly ranked programs, including elementary and secondary education, which have consistently been ranked No. 1 in the nation since 1995. Nine of the college’s 10 programs are in the top 10 nationwide. U.S. News & World Report ranked the college’s educational administration and higher education administration programs No. 1 for the second straight year.

“The continued top rankings through U.S. News & World Report illustrate MSU’s dedication to rigorous and innovative programs for our students,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, dean of the College of Education and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education. “The rankings are also a credit to the dedicated faculty and staff who support, advocate for, and collaborate with our students. We are honored to be recognized by our peers and by U.S. News and look to the future with renewed commitment to further education, health and well-being for all.”

Here are the newest rankings of MSU’s College of Education graduate programs:

• No. 1 — Educational administration
• No. 1 — Elementary education
• No. 1 — Secondary education
• No. 1 — Higher education administration
• No. 2 — Rehabilitation counseling
• No. 3 — Curriculum and instruction
• No. 4 — Educational psychology
• No. 6 — Education policy
• No. 9 — Special education

MSU’s graduate level supply chain management program ranked No. 2 this year and the university maintains its No. 1 ranking for supply chain management at the undergraduate level. The operations and sourcing management program, also found in the Department of Supply Chain Management, moved up one spot to No. 8.

“These rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and alumni who continually push the boundaries of excellence,” said David Souder, dean of the Eli Broad College of Business. “We are proud to see our programs recognized among the best in the nation, and we remain committed to providing an exceptional education that prepares our graduates for success.”

U.S. News & World Report does not rank every program annually. The graduate programs not appearing in the 2025-26 report that maintain their top 20 positions are:

• No. 2 — Nuclear physics
• No. 9 — Criminal justice/criminology

U.S. News & World Report bases individual disciplinary program rankings on expert opinion about program excellence.

Learn more about graduate education at MSU.