Andrew Young School Ranks Among the Nation’s Top 20 Public Affairs Graduate Schools

ATLANTA–Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is once again in the 20 top-ranked public affairs graduate schools according to U.S. News & World Report. A new majority of individual disciplines in the school now rank within the top 10 disciplines for graduate policy programs in the country, according to the 2021 rankings recently released.

Overall, the Andrew Young School was ranked No. 19 by the deans, directors and department chairs representing 276 master’s programs in public affairs and administration in the United States. Three disciplines – public finance & budgeting, urban policy and public management & leadership – rose in the rankings this year, while local government management retained its No. 7 ranking.

• No. 4 – Urban Policy
• No. 5 – Public Finance & Budgeting
• No. 7 – Local Government Management
• No. 10 – Nonprofit Management
• No. 13 – Public Management & Leadership
• No. 25 – Public Policy Analysis

“The strengths of the Andrew Young School, especially in areas of public finance, management, urban policy and leadership, reflect the commitment of our faculty to provide the world's future leaders in public and nonprofit management,” said Dean Sally Wallace. “We do that now with a growing emphasis of preparing these leaders to be successful in a world that is rapidly changing as it harnesses artificial intelligence, technology and an expanding use of data.”

“I am very glad to see our new rankings both for public affairs in general and for all six of our specializations represented,” added Cathy Yang Liu, chair of the Andrew Young School’s Department of Public Management and Policy. “A time like now calls for researchers and leaders in public affairs even more than before. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni are up to this challenge and will continue to make an impact in communities locally, nationally and globally.”

U.S. News & World Report’s rankings for other departments and programs in the Andrew Young School – criminal justice & criminology, economics and social work – were not voted on this year.

Find 2021 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools in Public Affairs rankings for Georgia State University at usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/georgia-state-university-139940.