Rutgers SPAA Rises to No. 21 Public Affairs School in Nation per U.S. News and World Report

The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University–Newark has received the overall national ranking of No. 21 in Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report in the 2025 Best Graduate Schools Rankings, moving up five spots from last year.

In specialty areas, SPAA ranks No. 7 in Urban Policy, No. 8 in Public Management and Leadership, No. 10 in Nonprofit Management, No. 16 in Local Government Management, and No. 21 in Public Finance and Budgeting, out of almost 300 institutions nationwide.

Rutgers SPAA: A World-Class Education

Students from across the region and around the globe come to Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration to experience a world-class education from renowned faculty, to learn cutting-edge knowledge and skills, to advance their careers, and to help create a better world. Prospective students can enroll in undergraduate or graduate programs and certificates at SPAA, which are offered on campus and online with opportunities for flexibility and customization. Programs at SPAA include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Public and Nonprofit Management
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)
• PhD in Public Administration
• Certificate and Training Programs

Methodology

The rankings of public affairs programs, conducted each year by U.S. News & World Report, are based on peer assessment survey results. More information on U.S. News & World Report’s methodology for ranking public affairs programs can be found here.