UNO Graduate Programs Ranked Among Best in Field

Students looking for exceptional education in public affairs will find just that at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) according to the new 2020 “Best Graduate Schools Rankings” from U.S. News and World Report.

The new rankings place UNO’s overall public administration programming tied at No. 25 in the nation. Several specialty public administration areas were also ranked highly.

• Public Finance and Budgeting tied at No. 4
• Local Government tied at No. 8
• Nonprofit Management No. 11
• Public Management No. 35

Also notable: The Grace Abbott School of Social Work’s graduate programming at No. 96 and the College of Business Administration’s part-time MBA at No. 99.

CPACS Dean John Bartle said the recognition for his college’s programs, based on peer surveys, highlight the programs’ quality and reliability.

“It’s no surprise to see UNO ranked alongside institutions like Duke, Georgetown, Wisconsin and Maryland,” Bartle said. “We have hired a world-class faculty, and carefully crafted the curriculum to be rigorous and relevant. And while we are nationally ranked, we are also locally engaged: our faculty and students work closely with community partners, nonprofits and governments.”

Deborah Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, said the new numbers reflect the intention UNO brings to graduate programming.

“Call it the Maverick way: we recruit faculty who are the best at what they do to develop leaders and equip them to make a difference in their communities and organizations,” Smith-Howell said. “Add cutting-edge research and applied community service and you can see why our graduate programs consistently keep earning these kinds of honors.”

The 2020 “Best Graduate Schools Rankings” follow U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 online program rankings, which named UNO’s online criminology and criminal justice graduate program the nation’s best program of its kind. That program is also housed within CPACS.

Founded in 1972, CPACS is the only college in the University of Nebraska system dedicated entirely to public affairs and civic engagement. As such, it serves a statewide mission of coupling quality education with professional services for any students looking to improve their communities.