Graduate programs within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy have earned national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 edition of Best Graduate Schools, released April 7.
COSSPP’s specialty in leadership ranked No. 16 overall and No. 10 among public universities, while the specialty in local government management ranked No. 21 overall and No. 18 among public universities.
Both rankings are based on opinions of each program’s quality as rated by academic experts at peer institutions. The programs are housed primarily in the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
“I am proud to see our outstanding public affairs programs perform well in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings. Our renowned faculty in the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, as well as affiliated faculty in Political Science, Urban & Regional Planning, and Emergency Management and Homeland Security, continue to impact Florida and the planet through their academic research and by producing graduates with the skills to make a difference in their communities.” — Tim Chapin, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.
Across FSU, 16 graduate programs and specialties ranked in the Top 25 among public universities, with six graduate programs placing No. 1 in Florida. Other highlights include the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences ranking No. 8 among public universities in education, the College of Law climbing to No. 34 overall and No. 1 in Florida, and the College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice rising seven spots to No. 21 overall.
“These results speak to both the quality and range of our graduate education,” said Provost Jim Clark. “Students can pursue top programs in areas as different as engineering, education, nursing and the arts, and they’re gaining the skills and experience to move directly into impactful careers. Achieving a graduate degree opens up advanced leadership and high-paying positions across Florida, the nation and the globe.”
To read the full story on FSU News, visit news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2026/04/07/fsu-graduate-programs-achieve-top-marks-in-2026-u-s-news-world-report-rankings.