U.S. News and World Report released its latest survey of national graduate school rankings, placing both the Darden School and the Law School in the top 10 in their respective fields.
Rankings are based on two factors — an opinion survey from academic experts and professionals who hire graduates, and a quantitative assessment using statistics like median test scores, faculty to student ratios, and employment rates for a more objective measurement.
The Law School — which has consistently placed in the top 10 — maintained its position from last year as eighth in the nation.
With a strong employment rate at graduation of 97.3 percent in 2013 and a faculty to student ratio of 11 to one, the Law School has a statistically strong showing compared to its competitors. Yale’s law school, which is ranked first overall, saw only 88.2 percent employment at graduation in 2013.
Law School Dean Paul Mahoney said in an email the administration and faculty focus on the ranking as a continuum, rather than by each year.
“We do not focus on year-to-year fluctuations in rankings, but instead on constantly improving the quality of teaching, research and service in the Law School,” Mahoney said.
The Darden School moved up a rank to number 10, from 11 last year, with its management program leading the way with a rank of seven. Its executive MBA programs and entrepreneurship ranks were 11 and 13 respectively.
“We are pleased when the media polls recognize our personalized and powerful educational experience,” Darden Dean Robert Bruner said in a press release.
The University’s other graduate schools also placed near the top of rankings. The Nursing School placed at 16, the Education School at 22, and the Medical School's research arm placed at 26 while its primary care program placed 40.