UNR grad schools, programs ranked among the nation’s best

The University of Nevada, Reno had several notable rankings in the annual listing of the nation’s best graduate schools and programs released in March by U.S. News and World Report. Overall, the University achieved an all-time-high with four graduate school and 24 graduate program rankings.

The College of Education, College of Engineering and University of Nevada School of Medicine not only remained ranked, but also achieved improved rankings over the prior year. Among the best graduate schools for engineering, the College of Engineering ranks at No. 129, up three points from 2013. The College of Education ranks at No. 135, up five points from 2013. The University of Nevada School of Medicine ranks at No. 89, up four points, in the category of “best medical school/primary care” and ranks at No. 87, up one point, in the category of “best medical school/research.”

Eight College of Engineering graduate programs were noted in the annual listing, including impressive rankings in the categories of Civil Engineering at No. 53 and Environmental Engineering at No. 59.

Behind the engineering and medicine rankings are impressive indicators of faculty research productivity. The School of Medicine ranks No. 44 for total National Institutes of Health grants per faculty member. The College of Engineering ranks No. 79 for research expenditures per faculty member.

“For the size of our faculty in these areas, this is a very notable accomplishment, and speaks well to our faculty’s productivity and impact,” Manos Maragakis, dean of the College of Engineering, said.

In addition to its “best graduate school” ranking, the College of Education also saw its online graduate education programs climb to No. 36 this year from No. 52 in 2013.

“The rankings indicate that the University’s College of Education is on the move,” Ken Coll, dean of the College of Education, said. “The rankings recognize our deep commitment to educating talented teachers and counselors, delivering innovative direct service, engaging with our communities and developing compelling school leaders. The rankings also capture our efforts with providing effective professional development and relevant research to the region and state.”

The University of Nevada, Reno’s 24 “best graduate programs” rankings this year were in the following U.S. News categories:
In engineering: biomedical engineering/bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical/communications engineering, environmental engineering, materials engineering and mechanical engineering.
In social sciences and humanities: English, political science and psychology.
In sciences: biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics.
In health: clinical psychology, nursing, speech pathology and social work.
In fine arts: art.
In online graduate programs: business, education and nursing.
In determining its rankings, U.S. News analyzed more than 1,300 graduate programs. Graduate school and program ranking methodologies vary by discipline, although include expert opinions on program quality and various statistical indicators.

The University of Nevada, Reno is ranked in the top tier of "best national universities” in U.S. News’ annual "best colleges" issue published in the fall. The College of Engineering is ranked among the “best undergraduate engineering programs” and the College of Business is ranked among the “best undergraduate business programs.” In developing its best colleges and undergraduate program rankings, U.S. News surveys more than 1,600 universities and colleges. Schools in the “best national universities” category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, masters and doctoral degrees, and are committed to a productive research program.

“The University of Nevada, Reno’s continued rankings make an important statement about the students we attract, the quality of our faculty and their world-improving research and creativity,” said University President Marc Johnson. “I am enormously proud of the people who make this University a top-quality educational offering.”

For more information about graduate programs at the University of Nevada, Reno go here. For more information about U.S. News rankings go here.

— Jane Tors is the director of Communications for the University of Nevada, Reno. She can be reached at jtors@unr.edu