George Mason University has 10 graduate programs in the top 30 among public institutions, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the university’s reputation for innovation and ability to make significant impacts on the national stage.
The list is led by the homeland security program in the Schar School of Policy and Government, which is ranked No. 5 among public institutions and among all universities nationally. It is the sixth consecutive year the program has ranked in the top 10. Also in the top 30 are four other Schar School programs, three from the College of Public Health, the special education program in the College of Education and Human Development, and the industrial engineering program in the College of Engineering and Computing.
Overall, Mason has 14 programs in the top 50 among public universities and 10 in the top 50 of all universities nationally. Several other programs made significant gains.
“I am very proud that Mason’s graduate programs are of exceptional quality, are well respected while providing areas of study that enhance our student’s academic success and help them to achieve their career aspirations,” Provost Mark Ginsberg said. “The recognition provided by U.S. News & World Report affirms that Mason is a cutting-edge university that is thriving locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.”
Mason, Virginia’s largest, most diverse, and innovative university, conferred the most graduate degrees of any four-year public institution in the commonwealth in the 2021-22 academic year, including 24% of all master’s degrees, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Schar School’s profile keeps growing
Five Schar School programs are in the top 30 among public institutions and in the top 50 among all national universities.
In addition to homeland security, there is nonprofit management (No. 9 among publics, No. 13 overall); public finance (18, 24); public policy analysis (21, 34); and the overall public affairs program (27, tied with Virginia Commonwealth, 39).
Homeland security, nonprofit management, and public finance are also ranked best in Virginia. And the nonprofit management program saw its ranking improve by 14 places among public institutions and 19 among all universities.
“These rankings are a recognition of our high-quality academic programs.” Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell said. “In a highly competitive market, we continue to rank among the best in graduate professional education.”
On the rise
A strong showing by Virginia’s first College of Public Health includes the health care administration program (17th among public institutions and 32nd nationally, tied with Georgetown); the nursing master’s program (21, 38); and the Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program (28, 39), which saw its ranking among publics rise by 10 places and its overall national ranking improve by 13. Mason’s public health programs overall are ranked 50th among public universities, tied with Virginia Commonwealth.
“As the first College of Public Health in Virginia, our graduates are now even better positioned to lead public health initiatives and continued to advance health and well-being for all,” College of Public Health Dean Melissa J. Perry said. “All of our graduate programs provide interdisciplinary public health education, research, and practice that allow our graduates to innovate public health and health care for their communities.”
The College of Education and Human Development’s special education program is ranked 17th among public institutions and 19th nationally.
Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing also showed strength. Its industrial engineering program is ranked 25th among publics (tied with University of Virginia) and 34th nationally. Computer science came in at 38th among publics and 65th nationally, and computer engineering moved up six spots to No. 38 among publics and 11 spots to No. 64 nationally, tied with George Washington University.
The School of Business’ part-time MBA program is ranked 40th among public institutions (tied with the College of William and Mary) and moved up two spots to No. 65 nationally.
Other big movers include engineering (53rd among publics and up 10 spots to 82nd nationally); mathematics (56th among publics and up 24 spots to 91st nationally; and physics (72nd among publics and up 19 spots to 113th nationally).
Mason’s new Graduate Division, a major unit of Academic Affairs within the Office of the Provost, will elevate graduate education at the university by increasing the global impact of its graduate students and programs, fostering a collaborative culture of academic excellence, and contributing to the research productivity and the workforce development appropriate to an R1 institution.
U.S. News announced on April 19, 2023, that the medical and law school rankings will be released at a later date.