# ASU public affairs graduate programs rise to No. 11 in nation in US News & World Report’s 2025 rankings

### Listed among the top 15 in the country since 2021

By Mark J. Scarp, ASU News
April 8, 2025

Arizona State University rose to No. 11 nationwide for best graduate public affairs programs in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings, the magazine announced.

The ranking, released April 8, demonstrates that graduate studies offered at the ASU School of Public Affairs continue to be among the nation's finest. The school’s new overall ranking — ahead of Georgetown, Ohio State and UCLA — rose two spots from last year's list.

The school’s graduate programs have ranked among the nation’s top 15 each year since 2021.

#### Related story

See the full ASU rankings

School Director and Professor Shannon Portillo said the programs’ rising status is a product of its faculty’s striving to exemplify the university’s core values.

“Our rise in the rankings demonstrates our commitment to our mission: living the ASU Charter by preparing students and professionals for ethical, inclusive and effective public service; conducting cutting-edge research of public value; and engaging locally, nationally and internationally with the communities we serve,” said Portillo, the Lattie and Elva Coor Presidential Chair. “Our faculty, staff and alumni are committed to ensuring a bright future for public service, and that commitment is reflected in our rise in the rankings.”

Nine specializations within the school’s graduate program were most recently ranked in 2024. All nine are in the top 20 nationally, while seven are in the top 10. They are:

- No. 2 in homeland security and emergency management.
- No. 3 in information and technology management.
- No. 3 in local government management.
- No. 5 in nonprofit management.
- No. 5 in public management and leadership.
- No. 9 in urban policy.
- No. 10 in environmental policy and management.
- No. 16 in public finance and budgeting.
- No. 17 in public policy analysis.

The School of Public Affairs is part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

This story originally appeared on ASU News.