FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kelsey Klopfenstein, University Communications
(850) 644-1066; kklopfenstein@fsu.edu
March 30, 2021
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State University’s graduate and professional programs continue to rank among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.”
More than 30 graduate programs at FSU are ranked in the top 25 according to the publication’s annual rankings, released March 30. FSU’s criminology, real estate, and library and information studies programs maintained their place in the top 10, and programs in education, engineering and public affairs all made significant improvements.
“More and more students are turning to Florida State University for a graduate education, and we are pleased that U.S. News recognizes the value and quality of the programs we offer,” said Sally McRorie, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “This recognition is a testament to our outstanding students and exceptional faculty, as well the variety of opportunities FSU provides as a large research institution.”
The College of Education’s graduate program made the largest jump among FSU’s programs, climbing 19 spots to No. 28 nationally and No. 18 among public universities.
“I commend the faculty, staff and students at our College of Education for achieving their highest-ever U.S. News and World Report ranking of No. 18 among public universities,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the College of Education. “Those affiliated with the university are known for their great resiliency and unconquered spirit, but even considering that reputation, it’s impressive that the college’s improvement was the largest among the top 75 education colleges in the country.”
Florida State’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice maintained its top 10 status at No. 7 in the nation and among public universities.
“We are pleased that our college’s graduate program continues to be recognized among the very best in the nation,” said Thomas Blomberg, dean of the College of Criminology and Sheldon L. Messinger Professor of Criminology. “Our faculty and staff work incredibly hard to build an intellectual community with our students that empowers them through research, education and service and encourages them to expand the influence of scholarship beyond the classroom.”
The College of Business’ MBA specialty in real estate once again ranked in the top 10 among public schools at No. 9 and in the top 20 nationwide at No. 17.
“This honor reflects our faculty’s nationally recognized expertise in preparing new business leaders with high-demand real estate finance and investment skills,” said Michael D. Hartline, dean of the FSU College of Business. “This is yet another high mark for our real estate offerings collegewide.”
FSU’s Library and Information Studies program, housed in the College of Communication and Information’s School of Information, placed No. 11 nationally and No. 10 among public universities. FSU’s School Library Media specialty maintained its No. 1 status, and Services for Children & Youth rose four spots to No. 3 in the nation.
“The faculty and staff in the School of Information have worked hard to get provide an outstanding graduate program in Library Studies,” said Larry Dennis, dean of the College of Communication and Information. “These national rankings are a testament to their hard work and commitment to excellence.”
Public affairs programs, which are offered by the Askew School of Public Administration in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, were ranked No. 28 nationally and No. 16 among public institutions.
“It is wonderful to see the college's public affairs offerings, headlined by the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, again ranked among the top programs in the nation,” said Tim Chapin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “Led by world-class faculty, our students are prepared for successful careers in which they create and implement innovative solutions to thorny policy problems.”
The 2022 U.S. News & World Report medical school rankings include new categories for diversity and health profession shortage areas. FSU’s College of Medicine debuted in the top 20 in both categories and earned a top 50 ranking for primary-care production.
The College of Medicine tied for No. 13 in diversity with 26 percent of students identifying as an underrepresented minority. The college also came in at No. 42 in primary-care production, with Nova Southeastern being the only Florida school producing more primary-care physicians during the time period measured.
The college, founded on a mission to serve underserved populations with a focus on primary care, ranked No. 13 for percent of graduates practicing direct patient care in health professional shortage areas. The latest U.S. News data is based on 2012-2014 graduates, and more than 50 percent of the college’s M.D. graduates in that span are practicing in health professional shortage areas.
“As the first new medical school of the 21st century, the college takes great pride in our mission of serving our communities, particularly for rural and underrepresented patients,” said College of Medicine Dean John P. Fogarty. “As a young medical school, it takes time to receive recognition of our 20-year effort to recruit students from these areas and produce graduates committed to service. Our pipeline is producing the results we expected and we’re hopeful this survey will continue to reflect that even more in the coming years.”
The College of Law rose two spots to No. 48 in the nation and No. 24 among public universities.
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering also made a significant improvement in this year’s U.S. News graduate rankings, moving up to No. 98 among all engineering graduate schools nationally. It marked the first time the college has ranked in the Top 100 for engineering graduate degrees.
For more than 30 years, U.S. News has published new annual rankings and data on various graduate schools and programs to help prospective students and their families make the important – and costly – decisions about where to attend school for business, education, engineering, law, medical, nursing and many other master's, Ph.D. and professional doctorate programs.
In addition, this year U.S. News published fresh rankings for graduate programs in public affairs and specialties in that field; public health schools and programs; and library and information studies and specialties in that field. There are also new doctoral program rankings in economics, English, history, sociology, political science and criminology/criminal justice. Most of these rankings, which are based solely on academic reputation, are produced only once every four years.
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