The graduate Education program and Public Health program each ranked in their respective categories. Education placed in the top programs nationally (the report listed 277 unranked programs), remaining a top program for the second consecutive year. U.S. News & World Report notes that “graduate programs in education prepare students for leadership roles at colleges, universities, K12 schools and nonprofits.”

Public Health ranked among the top programs nationally (188 schools), also increasing by six percent from the previous rankings. In 2019, Public Health was ranked among the top 177 schools. These rankings are based on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools. These assessments rate the academic quality of programs or schools.

“We know how important graduate programs such as education and public health are, especially in addressing today’s national and international challenges,” said Dr. Jeff Rutenbeck, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Arcadia University. “These programs at Arcadia, as well as our nationally ranked Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs, are centerpieces of our academic offerings, and we are proud of how they prepare students and seasoned professionals for career success and advancement, as well as positively impacting their communities.” 

The Best Graduate Schools rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.

Arcadia University holds distinctions among other U.S. News & World Report rankings. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program was ranked in the top 10 percent in the country, while the Physician Assistant (PA) program ranked 46th nationally. Additionally, the University ranked among the top performing schools in the 2021 “Regional Universities—North” list, as well as ranked 4th in study abroad nationwide.

Recently, Arcadia’s PA program was also ranked 4th in the nation by Intelligent.com, which uses U.S. News & World Report data, as well as national statistics on employment opportunities and each University’s student engagement and graduation rates for its methodology. Additionally, the University’s Applied Behavior Analysis program through the School of Education was ranked 18th by Intelligent.com as a best behavioral psychology degree for traditional students.