On April 8, U.S. News & World Report announced its 2025 Graduate School rankings, featuring multiple UNC programs, which either improved from previous years, were ranked for the first time or held steady.
The rankings factor in a variety of metrics, some specific to certain programs and others universal. While some of the data used to calculate the rankings is self-reported by universities, other data is compiled based on rankings by peer institutions and employers in the fields of the programs, among other factors.
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health maintained its tie-ranking of the number two overall spot, and tied for the number one ranking in the public school category.
Dean of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Dr. Nancy Messonnier, said that these rankings serve as a “testament” to the rigor of the programs at Gillings, as well as the school’s continued commitment to the study of public health.
“Public health is something that can be taught in the classroom, but it really has to be implemented in the community,” Messonnier said. “Our work is not just publishing excellent science. It's taking that science and translating it to make a difference in the real world, and that means really having close partnerships with those in the community who are tasked with implementing the science.”
This year, the list also updated rankings for graduate programs in audiology. UNC’s Doctor of Audiology program, which is a part of the UNC School of Medicine, moved up to a tie for second in the country. It was previously ranked third.
Additionally, the UNC School of Medicine earned a higher spot on the list. While previously a tier-two school in the categories of research and primary care, the school is now ranked as a tier one institution in both research and primary care.
Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, executive dean of the UNC School of Medicine, said that the school’s increase in ranking is gratifying and illustrates the continued efforts and commitment of faculty, students and administrators.
“You often have places that are major research universities in terms of their focus, or very primary care focused,” Meltzer-Brody said. “We do both, and that depth and breadth is what makes us a tier one institution, and also contributes to our global reputation.”
