Rankings & Accreditations

Rutgers SPAA Rankings

Rutgers SPAA has one of the top programs in public affairs and administration in the United States and globally according to rankings released by U.S. News & World Report and others.

U.S. News & World Report

Out of nearly 300 schools nationwide, in the 2025 "Best Graduate School" rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranks Rutgers SPAA overall:

• #21 as a Best Public Affairs Program

and in specialty areas:

• #7 nationally in Urban Policy
• #8 nationally in Public Management and Leadership
• #10 nationally in Nonprofit Management
• #16 nationally in Local Government Management
• #21 nationally in Public Finance and Budgeting

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) by ShanghaiRanking

Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration is recognized as one of the world’s leading research institutions in public administration in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) compiled by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. The GRAS recognizes institutions that consistently produce a high volume of influential, high-quality research. Out of hundreds of institutions worldwide, in the 2024 GRAS, Rutgers SPAA ranks:

• 2nd nationally and 7th globally in Public Administration

Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

NASPAA accreditation "recognizes that a master's program in public affairs has gone through a rigorous process of voluntary peer review conducted by the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA), and has met NASPAA's Standards for Professional Master's Degree Programs in Public Affairs, Policy and Administration."

Rutgers SPAA's program first received NASPAA accreditation in 1989, and has successfully received reaccreditation every seven years since, in accordance with NASPAA guidelines and following the Code of Good Practice that encourages quality in public affairs education.

NASPAA offers Data on Accredited Programs which include graduation and employment rates.