Nursing, Health Sciences and Law Among U.S. News’ 2025 Best Grad Schools

Designed for prospective students seeking to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree and evaluate programs across a wide range of disciplines, these impressive U.S. News rankings underscore Duquesne’s continued success in preparing graduate students for meaningful, impactful careers in their fields.

Duquesne’s School of Nursing continues its strong national standing in the rankings, reflecting its leadership in graduate nursing education and dedication to cultivating skilled, compassionate health care professionals. It climbed 12 spots to No. 34 in the Best Nursing Schools: Master’s category and climbed five spots to the No. 80 slot in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice category.

“I’m very proud of the School of Nursing faculty and students for their continued pursuit of academic excellence,” said Nursing Dean Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow. “There are 3,000 nursing programs in the United States. This year’s superior rankings acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our faculty and students.”

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University—which has seen a 43% increase in applicants this year—also earned a strong position in the rankings, reinforcing its reputation for academic rigor, practical training and commitment to producing practice-ready legal professionals.

This year, Duquesne Kline School of Law advanced two positions to No. 92 in the Best Law Schools category, reflecting its upward trajectory among the nation’s top programs. This is the third consecutive year the school has maintained the prestigious top 100 U.S. News ranking.

“Securing this top 100 ranking again is a testament to our student-centric outcomes, namely our bar passage and employment results. Our faculty and staff are unwavering in their commitment to preparing our students for future success. Likewise, our students are diligent, focused, and equipped to reach their goals,” said Duquesne Kline School of Law Dean April Barton.  

For the 2025 edition, U.S. News published new academic reputation rankings for graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant and speech-language pathology, among others. 

The John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences made a strong showing, reflecting its reputable status and the robust impact its graduate programs have in patients’ lives across health care settings from hospitals to industry:

• Occupational Therapy #30 (tied)
• Physician Assistant #58 (tied)
• Speech-Language Pathology #74 (tied)
• Physical Therapy #79 (tied).

“Though rooted in reputation, these rankings truly reflect the unwavering commitment of the Rangos community to advancing health care through rigorous education, impactful research and compassionate service,” Health Sciences Dean Dr. Fevzi Akinci said. “This national recognition affirms that Rangos graduates are not only exceptionally prepared, they are also leading their professions and transforming lives.”

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business has also earned a spot in the Best Graduate Schools rankings this year—an exciting milestone that reflects its growing reputation for innovation and transformational academic programs. The school ranked No. 107, while the Part-Time MBA program climbed 16 spots to No. 134. Only about 24% of business schools surveyed by U.S. News earned a spot in the rankings.

LaMont Jones, senior editor of education at U.S. News, emphasized that the Best Graduate rankings are more than numbers. “They guide students to determine pathways that align with their goals,” he said. “When students have substantial data and options, they can make informed decisions to generate transformative life opportunities. U.S. News rankings and data leads students to find the perfect program where they can flourish.”

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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