US News graduate rankings for 2016 include UO programs

Several programs at the University of Oregon — including law, education and the sciences — are included in the U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Graduate Schools" 2016 edition.

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The UO School of Law is one of only three public institutions in the nation having three or more top-ranked specialty programs. The overall program moved to No. 82 with four other institutions, a jump from No. 100 last year. For the 16th year, the College of Education’s special education program has ranked No. 3 in the country.  The College of Education is No. 5 among public institutions and No. 12 overall. 

“Rankings are one of several factors prospective students and faculty consider when selecting a university, and these lists recognize areas of excellence at the UO,” said UO acting Provost Frances Bronet. “Our graduate programs are central to the overall research mission and are the foundation of the educational experience of our students.”

Three of the School of Law’s specialties were again among the top-ranked in the nation. Legal Research and Writing  ranked No. 4, Environmental and Natural Resources Law was listed at No. 12 after several ties and Appropriate Dispute Resolution ranked No. 7, marking the program’s ninth year in a row in the top 10.

The UO College of Education was also recognized for its research funding per faculty member. UO faculty earned an average of $872,000 each in funding, ranking No. 2 among public universities. The COE’s overall reported research funding increased $900,000 for 2016, from $34.0 million to $34.9 million, ranking No. 6 among public universities and No. 10 overall.

Four UO programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are ranked in the same positions as last year’s edition – Biology is No. 55, chemistry is No. 60, geology is No. 34 in earth sciences and mathematics is No. 56. 

—By Julie Brown, Public Affairs Communications