KU education programs rank among nation’s best in 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences is ranked among the nation’s top graduate education programs, earning the No. 8 spot among public universities and No. 15 overall—the highest-ranked graduate education programs in the state of Kansas—in the 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” released April 8. In addition, two of its specialized programs are recognized among the best in the country.

The full U.S. News & World Report rankings are available online here.

The school’s graduate program in special education is ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 2 overall. The curriculum & instruction program rose two spots to No. 26 overall and ranks No. 18 among public universities.

“This year’s rankings from U.S. News & World Report reflect the excellent quality and national regard for our graduate programs,” said Rick Ginsberg, dean of the school. “We’re proud to once again be recognized as one of the best education programs in the nation.”

In addition to the recent “Best Graduate Schools” rankings, U.S. News & World Report releases its “Best Online Programs” rankings each January and its “Best Colleges” rankings in September. In this year’s online programs rankings, the school’s online master’s degree in special education ranked at No. 2, and the online Ed.D. in educational administration ranked No. 10 overall.

The KU School of Education & Human Sciences is a nationally ranked school preparing educators and human science professionals as leaders.