U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 rankings of the best graduate schools in the United States. The annual list evaluates programs in business, law, medicine, nursing, and engineering, among other disciplines. The rankings are based on statistical surveys of the schools and reputation surveys sent to academics and professionals.
For the 2026 edition, the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School are tied for the top spot in the full-time MBA ranking. In law, Stanford Law School and Yale Law School share the number one position. Harvard Medical School retains its top ranking for research-oriented medical schools.
The methodology for these rankings continues to evolve. U.S. News has increased the weight given to outcomes for graduates, such as employment rates and salaries, while reducing the emphasis on peer assessment surveys. This shift aims to provide prospective students with more tangible data for their decision-making.
Prospective students frequently use these rankings to compare programs, though critics argue they can oversimplify the complex factors involved in choosing a graduate school. The full rankings and detailed methodology are available on the U.S. News & World Report website.
