KU Medical Center graduate programs take top marks in U.S. News & World Report rankings

Eight graduate programs at the University of Kansas Medical Center rank among the 50 best in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings released today. Two of those programs rank in the top 10 among public institutions.

For the second year in a row, the physical therapy doctoral program at KU School of Health Professions placed in the top 10 for public schools, taking the No. 8 spot. The program was 16th among all institutions, both public and private, combined.

“It's great to be recognized as one of the best schools in the country for physical therapy, and in the top 10 among public institutions," said Patricia Kluding, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science and Athletic Training.

The speech language pathology program, offered jointly though KU School of Health Professions and KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, ranked 10th among public institutions and 13th for all schools. The occupational therapy doctoral program ranked 13th among public institutions, while audiology placed 14th and nurse-anesthesia was 25th.

“We are pleased to see that five graduate programs at KU School of Health Professions ranked in the top 25 among public institutions in the United States, and two are in the top 10," said Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D., MPH, MBA, MIH, dean of KU School of Health Professions. "Producing excellent health care professionals for Kansas and beyond is a central part of our mission, and we are proud to be recognized for achieving that goal.”

Since 2024, U.S. News has used a tiered system for ranking medical schools; Tier 1 schools rank the highest and Tier 4 the lowest. For 2026, KU School of Medicine was just one of 16 institutions in the country that ranked as a Tier 1 school in the Medical School-Primary Care category. The school ranked in the second tier in the Medical School-Research category.

KU School of Medicine also placed 10th in the country for producing the most graduates practicing in rural areas, and 18th for the most practicing in underserved areas. It ranked 34th in the country for the most graduates practicing in primary care.

“We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to preparing outstanding physicians who go on to practice in primary care and in rural and underserved areas,” said Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., executive dean of KU School of Medicine. “Our research ranking also reflects the increasing impact of our research faculty on the health of communities in Kansas and around the world.”