MUSC recognized across disciplines in 2026 U.S. News best graduate schools rankings
April 16, 2026
Four programs rank in the top 25 nationally, led by Occupational Therapy’s No. 8 ranking
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) earned national recognition in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, with four programs placing in the top 25 and several others across disciplines achieving strong rankings and notable gains.
Leading the results, four specialties in the College of Health Professions (CHP) – Occupational Therapy, Health Care Management, Nurse-Anesthesia and Physical Therapy – ranked among the top 25 programs, placing them within the top 20% nationally. MUSC’s College of Pharmacy (COP) also earned a strong national ranking at No. 31 (tied), positioning it in the top quartile of pharmacy schools in the United States.
“With our strengths in research and patient care, we are committed not only to pursuing excellence but to instilling it in the next generation of leaders,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., MBA, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at MUSC. “I applaud our deans, faculty and students for the extraordinary contributions they make to our campus community.”
U.S. News & World Report continues to rank several CHP programs among the nation’s best across multiple disciplines. Notably, the Occupational Therapy doctoral program rose five spots, from No. 15 to No. 8, earning top 10 recognition.
“Our faculty, staff and students continue to do extraordinary work, and these latest rankings reflect their dedication, innovation and impact,” said Zoher Kapasi, PT, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Professions. “We are especially proud to see our Occupational Therapy program rise into the top 10 nationally, while multiple programs continue to be recognized among the best in the country. Together, these achievements reinforce our reputation as a premier institution and the meaningful difference we are making in South Carolina and beyond.”
CHP programs recognized for their academic excellence include:
• Occupational Therapy – No. 8 (tied).
• Health Care Management – No. 19 (tied).
• Nurse-Anesthesia – No. 20 (tied).
• Physical Therapy – No. 25 (tied).
In addition to these top-ranked programs, several MUSC colleges and programs received national rankings or tier designations, reflecting the University’s broad strength in health professions education and biomedical research.
Other MUSC programs recognized in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings include:
• Public Health – No. 63 (tied): rose 21 spots, placing it in the top 30% of programs (College of Medicine).
• Medical Schools – Research: Tier 2 (of 4) (College of Medicine).
• Best Nursing Schools – Master’s: No. 45 (tied) (College of Nursing).
• Best Nursing Schools – Doctor of Nursing Practice: No. 68 (tied) (College of Nursing).
The U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings are based on peer assessment surveys and, depending on the discipline, program-specific data to evaluate academic quality and overall performance.
Media Contact: Faith Arenth, media relations manager, 854-253-0646, [email protected]
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates nearly 3,500 students in six colleges and trains more than 1,060 residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal, National Institutes of Health and other research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.
As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2025, for the 11th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.
MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $8.9 billion. The more than 36,200 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research and patient care.
