Rankings

A world-class education

#1 Master of Public Affairs

U.S. News & World Report ranks us #1 among public graduate schools, #2 out of  269 public and private graduate schools for 2025–26

#1

#1-ranked MPA concentrations

U.S. News & World Report ranks our concentrations:

#1 Environmental Policy and Management
#1 Nonprofit Management
#1 Public Finance and Budgeting
#1 Public Management and Leadership

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More highly ranked MPA specialties

U.S. News & World Report

#4 Health Policy and Management
#5 Public Policy Analysis
#7 Local Government Management
#10 Social Policy
#20 Urban Policy

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#2 Online MPA in the nation

STEPS (Student Training and Education in Public Service), 2022

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#2 in the world for Public Administration

ShanghaiRanking: Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 2020

#11 Online MPA

University HQ Online MPA rankings for 2022. 

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Top 10 career-ready institution

SkillSurvey, 2021

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#5 in the world for Public Administration

By the Center for World University Rankings, 2017

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Largest in the nation

Leverage a powerful alumni network of more than 37,000 as part of the largest school of public administration and public policy in the United States.

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#1 for Public Administration

College Factual ranks us "overall best" for our majors and concentrations related to public administration.

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Top college town

Bloomington ranks as one of the nation’s best places to live, study, and visit. 

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Insight into Diversity, Diversity Champ 2022

We're in good company

Benefit from the memberships the O’Neill School maintains in professional associations to stay current—and further lead—today’s thinking.

Association for Public Policy and Analysis

APPAM is dedicated to improving public policy and management by fostering excellence i research, analysis, and education.

America Society for Public Administration

ASPA is dedicated to advancing the art, science, teaching, and practice and nonprofit administration.

Council of Environmental Deans and Directors

CEDD is an association of institutional representatives who come together to improve the quality, stature, and effectiveness of academic environmental programs at U.S. universities and colleges.

Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration

NASPAA's twofold mission is to ensure excellence in education and training for public service an to promote the ideal of public service.

Public Policy & International Affairs Fellowship Program

PPIA promotes the inclusion and full participation of underrepresented groups in public service an to advance their leadership roles throughout our civic institutions serving domestic and international affairs.