US News rankings: nursing graduate program surges into top 20, business remains top public international MBA in the country

The University of South Carolina College of Nursing master’s degree program is now ranked as one of the nation’s best, according to the 2026 Best Graduate School rankings released April 7 by U.S. News and World Report.

The master’s program moved up five spots to No. 18 nationally and is the top program in South Carolina. The college’s doctor of nursing practice remains a top 40 program nationally, coming in at No. 37.

“These rankings reflect our commitment to shaping the future of nursing,” says Jeannette Andrews, dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing. “For six years, our graduate programs have ranked among the top five nationally, a testament to the strength of our faculty and staff and the real-world preparation our students receive. Our work remains grounded in meeting the evolving health care needs of South Carolinians. Building on this momentum, we will continue advancing innovation, expanding access, and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders.”

USC excelled in rankings across a variety of colleges and schools, including the Darla Moore School of Business again being named the No. 1 public International MBA program in the country.

The IMBA program has been ranked in the top three nationally for 37 consecutive years and has been the top public IMBA program for 13 consecutive years. The school’s supply chain management program remains a top-30 program nationally (No. 29).

“The International MBA program ranking is a testament to our world-class faculty and staff and to our hard-working students,” says Gregory Niehaus, interim dean of the Darla Moore School of Business. “Our program strives to teach students how to work effectively across borders and to equip students with the skills and knowledge to be ready for the challenges they will likely confront in the future.  We are honored to set the standard for public institutions across the country.”

The School of Medicine Columbia and School of Medicine Greenville showed significant growth in rankings for graduates practicing in rural areas, with Columbia also excelling in graduates practicing in medically underserved areas.

The School of Medicine Columbia moved up eight spots in the rankings for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas (No. 25), 18 spots for graduates practicing in primary care (No. 44) and 15 spots for most graduates practicing in rural areas (No. 71).

The School of Medicine Greenville is No. 40 nationally in graduates practicing in rural areas, surging up 78 spots in the rankings.

Other rankings highlights include:

• The Library Sciences graduate program in the College of Information and Communications ranks No. 16 nationally.
• The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s graduate program for nuclear engineering ranks No. 24 nationally.
• The College of Education’s master’s program moved up one spot to No. 26 in the nation and maintained the top ranking in South Carolina.
• The Arnold School of Public Health’s speech language pathology graduate program is ranked No. 28 nationally.
• The Joseph F. Rice School of Law had 12 programs ranked by U.S. News and World report with two moving up at least 10 spots in the rankings; the school’s constitutional law program moved up 10 spots to No. 76 and the best healthcare law program moved up 16 spots to No. 83.

“These rankings reflect the extraordinary work across the University of South Carolina” says Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “From nursing and business to medicine, education and public health, we are advancing programs that not only rank among the nation’s best but also make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”

The University of South Carolina’s ranked graduate and professional programs include diverse areas of study in the sciences, technology, engineering, health sciences, education, law and business. These programs help train graduate students destined to become future leaders in their fields, providing the skilled workforce needed to propel the state’s economy.

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