University of Cincinnati graduate programs rise in national rankings across high-demand fields

University of Cincinnati graduate programs climbed in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, led by strong gains in workforce-focused fields including public health, clinical psychology and business.

The rankings reflect UC’s continued investment in graduate education as part of its Next Lives Here strategic direction, which prioritizes innovation, student success and research that impacts communities in Cincinnati and beyond.

Among the most notable increases, UC’s clinical psychology program rose to No. 77, marking one of the most significant jumps across UC’s graduate programs this year. The nearly 40-place rise signals the program’s expanding role in addressing mental and behavioral health challenges through research and clinical training.

UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business programs also continue a strong multi-year rise. The full-time MBA remains among the top 100 programs nationally, while the part-time MBA has climbed in recent years and now holds its place among leading programs. Areas such as operations, marketing and real estate are also gaining national recognition.

In health-related disciplines, public health continues to build strength, reinforcing UC’s role in advancing population health through research, education and community partnerships. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program's rise in national rankings reflects growing recognition of its workforce-focused training, experiential learning opportunities, applied research and commitment to preparing graduates to address evolving public health challenges locally and globally.

"Through strong partnerships with local, regional and international organizations, students gain hands-on experience working on real-world public health challenges," Michelle continues.

The MPH program also continues to enhance student experiences through expanded professional development, mentorship and global learning opportunities. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Alumni-Student Mentorship Program that connects current MPH students with UC MPH alumni working across varied public health career sectors, helping students build networks and gain career insight. The program has also expanded experiential and study abroad opportunities that expose students to global health systems, cultural perspectives and community-based public health practice, further preparing graduates to work in an increasingly interconnected and evolving public health landscape.

Moreover, students have the opportunity to engage with the region’s only National Institute of Health (NIH)-sponsored climate health exploratory center, the Center for Collaboration on Climate & Community for Health (C4H). Dr. Burbage, also director of the community engagement core of C4H, noted “Students have the option to work on climate health research, community engagement and interdisciplinary projects focused on regional environmental impacts to help them better address emerging health challenges tied to climate”. 

In clinical psychology, faculty and students are engaged in research addressing mental health interventions, trauma, adult and pediatric behavioral health, health disparities and neuropsychology. The department also conducts extensive community-engaged work in collaboration with local organizations and health care providers.

Clinical psychology faculty currently hold $10.5 million in external grant funding from federal and foundation sources, with additional fellowships awarded directly to doctoral students.

In recent years, doctoral students have partnered with communities across Greater Cincinnati and the surrounding region, contributing to research on behavioral health needs and community well-being.

Kristen adds, "That foundation allows our students to contribute to the field while meeting the needs of the communities they serve.”

Beyond research, doctoral students provide clinical services throughout the region. At UC’s Behavioral Health Center, the program’s training clinic, more than 200 clinical appointments were delivered, primarily serving Cincinnati-area residents in need of low-cost therapy.

Students also complete clinical placements with local organizations, working with medically complex children, neurodivergent individuals, varied populations and individuals involved in the court system, as well as providing services to UC students.

The program emphasizes training that prepares students to address current mental and behavioral health needs through research, clinical practice and community engagement. This approach is grounded in a scientist-practitioner model that integrates empirical study, theoretical knowledge and critical evaluation of research to inform care and outcomes.

“These efforts align with the Graduate College’s focus on accelerating discovery to practice through interdisciplinary collaboration while preparing students to address real-world challenges,” said Ryan White, interim dean of the Graduate College. “By connecting research and practice, UC graduate programs are strengthening communities while preparing students to lead across disciplines and industries.” 

UC also continues to earn national recognition in several areas, including criminology (No. 4) and nurse anesthesia (No. 9), demonstrating strength across a wide range of graduate disciplines.

While some programs saw modest shifts in this year’s rankings, UC maintains strong national placement across dozens of graduate programs, indicating consistency and resilience amid the changing landscape of graduate education.

Online graduate offerings are also earning national recognition, particularly in nursing, information technology and criminal justice, expanding access to flexible, career-focused education for working professionals.

As UC continues to invest in high-impact graduate programs, the latest rankings place the university among national leaders in graduate education, with continued growth in programs that connect research, learning and workforce needs.