Maxwell School Proudly Ranks #1 for Public Affairs in 2025

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Maxwell School Proudly Ranks #1 for Public Affairs in 2025

April 8, 2025

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has earned the #1 overall spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Public Affairs Schools rankings. This year’s top ranking follows Maxwell’s yearlong celebration of its founding 100 years ago as the first school in the nation to offer a one-year graduate program in public administration.

“We are honored to be recognized for our work by peers at institutions of higher education dedicated to public service,” says Dean David M. Van Slyke. “It is a challenging time for many with a commitment to effective public service, yet our mission remains clear: to prepare the next generation of leaders dedicated to improving their communities, strengthening democracy and leaving the world better than they found it.”

The Best Public Affairs Schools rankings are based solely on surveys of deans, directors and department chairs representing 268 master’s programs in public affairs and public administration. Each school is numerically ranked by peer school leadership on a 5-point scale, with the average score determining the school’s overall rank. Additionally, survey respondents can nominate up to 15 schools for excellence in 12 subspecialties, with the number of nominations determining each school’s position in the ranking.

U.S. News began ranking graduate programs in public affairs in 1995. Since then, the Maxwell School has been ranked #1 in every survey but one. In addition, the school remains highly ranked in 10 subspecialties:

• Environmental Policy and Management

• Health Policy and Management

• International Global Policy and Administration

• Information and Technology Management

• Local Government Management

• Non-Profit Management

• Public Finance and Budgeting

• Public Management and Leadership

• Public Policy Analysis

• Social Policy

“We are honored for this recognition and thankful to our peers,” says Len Lopoo, associate dean, chair and professor of public administration and international affairs. “I believe it speaks to the tremendous research and teaching done by our faculty and the outstanding contributions to public affairs made by our many accomplished alums.”

Launched in 1924 as the School of American Citizenship by Syracuse University alumnus George Holmes Maxwell, the school began with a graduate program in public administration, an undergraduate citizenship course and a weekly seminar in political science. Today the school is home to 12 academic departments and 15 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, where students and scholars grapple with a range of issues, including environmental sustainability; autonomous systems policy; population health and aging; law and security; conflict resolution; democracy and journalism; global affairs; and regional studies.

About the Maxwell School

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University offers highly regarded professional programs in public administration and international affairs as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees across the social sciences, and signature interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in policy, civic engagement, environmental sustainability and international relations. With campuses in Syracuse, New York, and Washington, D.C., and academic partnerships around the globe, the Maxwell network of more than 40,000 alumni in 160 countries provides access to a world of opportunity.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors meets the integrative goals of learning and experiential engagement, so students can lead in productive ways for the greater public good around the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible toward action and positive change.