Global Ranking Puts Schar School Public Administration Program at No. 22 in the World, No. 11 in U.S., No. 1 in Region

The Schar School of Policy and Government’s Public Administration program has been ranked No. 22 in the world in the 2019 global survey of universities by the Academic Ranking of World Universities—also known as the ShanghaiRankings. The independent ShanghaiRanking Consultancy ranked George Mason University’s Schar School program at No. 11 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the Washington, D.C., region.

The international rankings consider more than 1,700 universities in 86 countries and are based on the quantity, strength, and impact of the research produced by faculty members and students. ShanghaiRanking looks at programs in five general areas; the public administration field—which includes both public administration and public policy programs—is within the Social Sciences area of the survey.

"This latest ranking validates the high quality of our professional degree programs, the very strong academic impact of the Schar School's policy and administration faculty, and the accomplishments of our students and alumni,” said Schar School dean Mark J. Rozell.

“As governance challenges are becoming increasingly intricate and global in nature, I am delighted that the ShanghaiRankings continue to recognize the strength and international reach of our Master’s in Public Administration program and the extraordinary breadth and depth of the Schar School faculty contributing to it,” said Stefan Toepler, associate professor of nonprofit studies and director of the Master’s in Public Administration program.

“Because of its proximity to the seat of the federal government and global institutions, public administration at the Schar School is uniquely positioned to offer students the opportunity to explore these challenges at local, national, and international levels,” he added.

Also, the Schar School’s Political Sciences program was rated in the top 100 for the world in the new ShanghaiRanking survey.

The news of the Nos. 1, 11 and 22 rankings for the Public Administration program comes on the heels of the No. 16 “best value in the country” for a Master’s of Public Administration degree, according to Value Colleges of Chapel Hill, N.C. Value Colleges based its rating on U.S. News & World Report rankings, student reviews, costs, and average alumni salary.

The Schar School’s security studies program is ranked No. 2 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The Schar School moved up from the No. 3 position in the March 2018 survey. “We continue to do what we do well, which is deliver a classroom experience grounded in both theory and practice in the field,” said Rozell. “Our program is made up of full-time faculty who are both scholars and practitioners. Students see that investment by the school in their success.”

Overall, the ShanghaiRanking put George Mason University in the top 300 of 1,700 for the world and in the top 95 for the country. One other Mason program—Law—was ranked in the ShanghaiRanking’s international Top 25, placing No. 19 for the Antonin Scalia Law School. Communication, at No. 36, and Economics, at No. 38, were two Mason programs in the global Top 50.