The School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh continues to stand among the nation’s most respected graduate programs in public affairs, earning consistent recognition in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
For the second year in a row, SPIA earned the #1 spot as the nation's top-ranked public affairs school among public institutions in the International Global Policy and Administration specialization. The school also ranked highly in two other specializations, Urban Policy (#16) and Public Policy Analysis (#31) with the overall rank remaining strong at #34 among public affairs schools nationwide.
This year’s rankings reaffirm what our students, faculty, alumni, and colleagues already know: Pitt delivers a public affairs education that is globally engaged, locally grounded, and built to meet the challenges of today’s complex world.
“Our consistency in the rankings is a powerful marker of the strength and quality of our programs,” said Dean Carissa Slotterback. “We are not just holding steady but building momentum. Our faculty and students continue to lead policy work that is making a real difference in communities across the country and around the globe. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, and excited for what’s ahead."
Dean Slotterback added, “We’ve worked hard to create an academic home that inspires students to lead with purpose. These rankings reinforce the impact of that work and the importance of the School of Public and International Affairs as a hub for future changemakers.”
The rankings by U.S. News & World Report are generated through assessment surveys. In early 2025, surveys were conducted among deans, directors, and department chairs representing 268 master's programs in public affairs. They were tasked with rating the academic caliber of each program on a scale ranging from marginal to outstanding. The rankings for specialty areas are also determined by assessments provided by educators at peer institutions.
Though U.S. News evaluates only graduate-level public affairs programs, Pitt’s nationally recognized school has recently expanded its offerings to include undergraduate opportunities as well. Moving forward, all rankings and references to the program will appear under our new name: the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. Our legacy of excellence continues with an even broader platform for shaping the public leaders of tomorrow.