Rockefeller Breaks Into Nation’s Top 20

Rockefeller US News

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 17, 2020) — The University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top graduate programs for public affairs. Announced by U.S. News & World Report, Rockefeller moved up two places from last year to 19th in the nation overall in the rankings for the 2021 Best Graduate Public Affairs Programs.

In addition, Rockefeller College is the highest ranked public affairs college at a public university in the Northeast region and ranks in the top 15 for four public affairs specialties:

  • 4th in Information and Technology Management (2020)*
  • 12th in Public Management and Leadership
  • 12th in Nonprofit Management
  • 14th in Public Finance and Budgeting
  • 34th in Public Policy Analysis

“We are very proud to be one of the 20 most respected public affairs programs in the country and to once again be the most highly ranked public affairs college at a public university in the Northeast,” said Dean R. Karl Rethemeyer. “With affordable tuition, a nearly 100 percent career placement rate, and four concentrations in the top 15 nationally, Rockefeller College provides an unparalleled combination of excellence and value for students beginning or accelerating a career in public affairs.”

The U.S. News rankings of public affairs programs, published in 2020, are based solely on peer assessment survey results. In fall 2019 and early 2020, U.S. News surveyed deans, directors and department chairs representing 276 master's programs in public affairs and administration. Two surveys were sent to each school and there was a response rate of 62 percent.

For 25 years, the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's premier schools of public affairs. The College offers undergraduate- and graduate-level study in public administration, public policy, international affairs, and political science.

*Information and Technology Management rankings were not published in the 2021 edition.