Multiple KU Medical Center graduate programs now among nation’s best in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings

The University of Kansas Medical Center now has three graduate programs in the top 10 in the country, with six that rank in the 50 best, according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings released today. Eight programs rank in the 50 best among public institutions.

At KU School of Health Professions, the doctoral of physical therapy (DPT) program moved up into the No. 10 spot overall for 2025, up from No. 11 in 2024. The program again ranked 5th among public institutions.

“I am thrilled to see the recognition of our strong DPT program at KU Medical Center, and it is so exciting to be ranked in the top 10 of all DPT programs across the country!” said Patricia Kluding, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Training.

The speech-language pathology program ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 among public schools. This ranking for the program, jointly housed within KU School of Health Professions and within KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, moved up from 9th place overall and 6th for public schools in 2024. Occupational therapy ranked 11th among public institutions, while audiology placed 18th and nurse-anesthesia was 28th. At KU School of Nursing, the nurse-midwifery program ranked 10th overall and 7th for public institutions.

“With five programs ranked in the top 30 among public institutions in the United States, two of which are actually ranked in the top five, the School of Health Professions continues to establish itself as a premier training hub for health professionals," said Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D., MPH, dean of KU School of Health Professions. "Our rankings are a testament to the continued commitment of our hardworking faculty and staff to enroll, train and graduate excellent health professionals.”

KU School of Medicine again ranked in the top tier for primary care

Last year, U.S. News switched to a tiered, rather than a numbered, system for ranking medical schools, with Tier 1 medical schools ranking the highest and Tier 4 the lowest. KU School of Medicine ranked as a Tier 1 school in the Medical School-Primary Care rankings (one of just 16 institutions in Tier 1) and ranked as a Tier 2 school in the Medical School-Research rankings, moving up from its Tier 3 position last year.

U.S. News continues to use numbered rankings for practice areas. KU School of Medicine ranked 13th for “most graduates practicing in rural areas” and 14th in “most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas.” The school ranked 25th in “most graduates practicing in primary care.”

“We are pleased to again rank in the top tier of medical schools for primary care,” said Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., executive dean of KU School of Medicine. “And we are encouraged by our continued progress in research, where we have moved into the second tier. We believe both of these rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to educating the next generation of physicians and researchers to serve and care for communities across Kansas and beyond.”