The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indianapolis is celebrating another strong showing in the 2024–25 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate School rankings, with four of its Master of Public Affairs concentrations placing in the top 20.
O’Neill IU Indianapolis’ rankings include:
- #2: Nonprofit Management
- #12: Environmental Policy and Management
- #16 (tie): Urban Policy
- #17: Local Government Management
- #29: Public Management and Leadership
- #39 (tie): MPA overall
O’Neill Indianapolis held on to the No. 2 spot for nonprofit management for the second year in a row, staying in the top 5 nonprofit management schools for the sixth consecutive year. The No. 1 spot in nonprofit management went to O’Neill Bloomington, making O’Neill the only school in the country to hold the top two spots in a specialty ranking.
Among the 271 public affairs schools ranked nationwide, O’Neill Indianapolis came in at No. 39 for its MPA program, tying with six other universities. In addition, three O’Neill IUI MPA concentrations—environmental policy and management, urban policy, and local government management—rose in the rankings from 2023, while public management and leadership maintained its spot in the top 30.
These rankings contribute to the greater success of the O’Neill School on both campuses. O’Neill Bloomington captured the most No. 1 specialty rankings for any MPA school on the list, with environmental policy and management, public finance and budgeting, public management and leadership, and nonprofit management all earning top recognition. O’Neill’s MPA program ranked No. 2 among all colleges and universities, holding the top spot among public institutions. This marks the eighth straight year the O’Neill School in Bloomington has been ranked first or second nationally.
“The O’Neill School is extremely proud and honored to have four of its concentrations in Indianapolis and nine in Bloomington ranked in the top 20,” O’Neill School Dean Siân Mooney said. “It’s a wonderful recognition for all that our faculty and students have accomplished.”
O’Neill Bloomington’s rankings include:
- #2 MPA (overall)
- #1 Environmental Policy & Management
- #1 Nonprofit Management
- #1 Public Finance & Budgeting
- #1 Public Management & Leadership
- #4 Health Policy & Management
- #5 Public Policy Analysis
- #7 Local Government Management
- #10 Social Policy
- #20 Urban Policy
Overall, Indiana University led the state for the number of top 10 and top 20 rankings for graduate programs and specialty areas in this year’s U.S. News Best Graduate School Rankings.
“This year’s rankings again demonstrate that graduate programs across the university have earned their rightful place among the nation’s best,” Indiana University President Pamela Whitten said. “The impact of our dedicated faculty and the excellent graduate programs offered on Indiana University’s campuses is unmistakable. Through their students and alumni, these programs strengthen the vitality of Indiana, our nation and the world through a commitment to transformative research, bold innovation, and a desire to improve communities.”
The rankings are based on statistical and reputational data regarding graduate programs at U.S. colleges and universities. To read the full IU release on rankings, visit the IU Newsroom.
