Duquesne Continues Rise in ‘U.S. News’ Best Grad Programs

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne and the School of Nursing anchored a strong showing across the University’s graduate programs, with notable improvements and national recognition alongside other highly ranked health and professional disciplines.

Duquesne Kline Law: Sustained Excellence and National Impact

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law moved up seven spots to No. 85 overall, marking its highest ranking yet and its fourth consecutive year in the Top 100. The ranking reflects continued strength in the areas that U.S. News emphasizes most, including employment success and strong bar passage rates, a sustained trajectory that speaks to Duquesne Kline Law’s ongoing commitment to preparing graduates for successful legal careers.

Additionally, the law school advanced six spots to No. 38 in the Best Part‑Time Law Programs category by U.S. News. In a new, separate category recognizing law schools with the most graduates entering public interest law, Duquesne ranked No. 39 and tied with other nationally prominent institutions including Columbia and the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, among others.

Under the leadership of Dean April Barton, Duquesne Kline Law has experienced transformative growth and momentum, rising a substantial 44 spots (34% increase) in the U.S News rankings since 2023. It also has consecutively outperformed the national averages in bar and employment results, most recently ranking among the top 50 law schools nationally for its 2022 Ultimate Bar Passage rate, according to the American Bar Association.

“Duquesne Kline Law has always been guided by a commitment to preparing exceptional lawyers who serve their clients, their communities, and the profession with integrity,” Barton said. “To see that mission reflected in our continued rise in the U.S. News rankings is deeply gratifying—I could not be more proud of our students, faculty and staff, whose hard work and dedication made this possible.”

Nursing: Preparing Leaders in Advanced Practice

Duquesne’s School of Nursing earned strong national recognition across both graduate pathways evaluated by U.S. News, reflecting the program’s emphasis on faculty expertise, research and preparation for advanced practice.

• Best Nursing Schools – Master of Science in Nursing, No. 36
• Best Nursing Schools – Doctor of Nursing Practice, No. 78 (up two spots).

That strength is reinforced by continued program growth and investment, including the launch of a new nurse anesthesia program in fall 2025, a faculty of national distinction with 27 fellows spanning organizations from the American Academy of Nursing to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the new Joanne Barkett Conway Simulation Center—an 8,600-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility advancing hands-on training for experienced critical care nurses at the graduate level.

Student-centered scholarship and innovation define the Duquesne University School of Nursing, preparing graduates to lead in clinical, academic and health system environments while continuing that momentum across the University’s graduate offerings.

“This U.S. News recognition reflects the experience our graduate nursing students have at Duquesne—an education shaped by student-centered scholarship, innovation and a commitment to service,” said Nursing Dean Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow. “Learning together with expert faculty and peers, our programs support working nurses, challenge them intellectually and prepare them to pursue bigger goals as confident leaders in advanced practice, education and health system roles.”

Business: Breaking into the Top 100

The Palumbo‑Donahue School of Business ranked No. 98 overall, moving up nine spots to break into the Top 100 Best Business Schools. The ranking reflects the strength of its AACSB‑accredited graduate programs and focus on career outcomes, with Duquesne ranked among just 134 of more than 300 accredited business schools nationwide.

“Duquesne’s placement among the Top 100 business schools in the 2026 U.S. News rankings affirms the strength, quality and positive trajectory of our MBA and graduate business program,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean of the business school. “At the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, we’re committed to delivering rigorous, high-quality education experience that integrates academic excellence with meaningful applied learning opportunities. This recognition reflects the expertise, commitment and passion of our faculty and staff.”

The John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences earned recognition for two of its graduate programs, contributing to the University’s strong performance in the U.S. News graduate rankings.

Occupational Therapy: Among the Nation’s Best

Duquesne’s Occupational Therapy program ranked No. 31 overall, placing them among the top programs in the country. The recognition reflects a strong reputation among peer institutions and a curriculum grounded in clinical experience, professional collaboration and community engagement.

Physical Therapy: Continued Upward Momentum

The Physical Therapy program ranked No. 72, climbing seven spots from last year. The improvement reflects ongoing investment in experiential learning and evidence‑based practice that prepares graduates for a wide range of clinical settings.

“This national recognition affirms the exceptional dedication of our faculty, staff, students and clinical partners, whose collective commitment to excellence continues to elevate the Rangos School of Health Sciences,” said Dean Dr. Fevzi Akinci. “Our occupational and physical Therapy programs reflect what is possible when rigorous, evidence‑based education is paired with meaningful community engagement and hands‑on clinical experience in a horizon‑expanding learning environment. We are proud of this continued progress and inspired by the impact our graduates will make in advancing health, healing and human dignity in the communities they serve.”

Pharmacy: Preparing Practice-Ready Professionals

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy ranked No. 54 overall, reflecting an educational experience centered on student success and career readiness. Through close faculty mentorship, collaborative learning and strong academic preparation, Duquesne pharmacy students achieved a 91.7% NAPLEX pass rate, above the state and national averages. Graduates are well-prepared for practice as members of modern interdisciplinary health care teams.

“We are proud to see Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy recognized nationally for the quality of its flagship program and its commitment to student success,” said Dr. James Drennen, III, dean of pharmacy. “This ranking reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our curriculum and the close mentorship that prepares our students to excel on the NAPLEX and beyond. Most importantly, it affirms our success in graduating practice‑ready pharmacists who are confident leaders and collaborative practitioners in the modern health care setting.”

U.S. News & World Report evaluates graduate programs using a combination of expert opinion and program‑specific indicators, with methodologies tailored to each discipline. Rankings for law, nursing and business incorporate academic data and outcomes, while several health and science programs are based on peer assessment surveys.

“The 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings are designed to provide those pursuing an advanced degree with a wealth of data to inform their academic choices and to help them as they evaluate their post-college choices,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News. “Achieving a top rank signifies a program demonstrates strong performance across key metrics—from faculty resources and research activity to graduate employment and student selectivity—which ultimately serves those seeking the best possible graduate education.”

For more information about Duquesne University’s graduate programs, visit www.duq.edu/graduate.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of more than 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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