The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs has once again been recognized as the top institution for public affairs education in the United States.
In the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, released today, the O’Neill School holds the No. 1 overall spot for its Master of Public Affairs, tied with the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. It is the 14th consecutive year the O’Neill School in Bloomington has held one of the top two positions nationally in the category.
On our Indianapolis campus, the O’Neill School saw a historic surge, climbing five spots to reach No. 31 overall—its highest ranking in school history—reflecting the campus’s rapidly growing influence and academic excellence.
"We’ve always known that what happens within the halls of the O’Neill School is special, but it’s still an honor when it’s recognized by our peers,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O’Neill School. “To be ranked the No. 1 MPA program in the nation is a testament to our faculty, students, alumni, and staff, and the growth in respect for the work being done on our IU Indianapolis campus is satisfying. We aren't just teaching policy. We're redefining it while training the next generation of leaders.”
The O’Neill School also continues to demonstrate unmatched depth across a range of areas. In Bloomington, four O’Neill School specialties— environmental policy and management, health policy and management, nonprofit management, and public finance and budgeting—take the top ranking in the country. Five other specialties—public management and leadership, public policy analysis, local government management, social policy, and urban policy—are ranked in the top six in their respective categories.
IUI O’Neill’s nonprofit management specialty is ranked No. 2, giving the O’Neill School the top two spots in the country once again. Four other specialties, including environmental policy and management, urban policy, local government management, and public management and leadership, rank in the top 25.
The rankings are based on statistical and reputational data regarding graduate programs at U.S. colleges and universities. A complete list of rankings for the O’Neill School is below.
2026 Rankings Highlights
O’Neill School – Bloomington
- #1 Overall MPA Program (Tie)
- #1 Environmental Policy & Management
- #1 Health Policy & Management
- #1 Nonprofit Management
- #1 Public Finance & Budgeting
- #2 Public Management & Leadership
- #4 Public Policy Analysis
- #5 Local Government Management
- #5 Social Policy
- #6 Urban Policy (Up 14 spots)
O’Neill School – Indianapolis
- #31 Overall MPA Program (Highest ranking ever)
- #2 Nonprofit Management
- #10 Environmental Policy & Management
- #15 Urban Policy
- #16 Local Government Management
- #25 Public Management & Leadership