USD School of Education’s Graduate Programs Rank Among Region’s Best in 2026 U.S. News & World Report
USD ranked fifth among graduate education programs across Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and it is the only ranked program in the state.
Graduate programs within the School of Education demonstrate strong performance across several key academic and research metrics. Compared to peer institutions in the region, the School of Education ranks above the median in:
- Total externally funded research conducted by the school
- Annual amount of funded research expenditure per faculty member
- Peer assessment
- Doctoral acceptance rate
Additionally, the graduate programs rank favorably in student-to-faculty ratio—a distinction that translates into more personalized mentorship, increased access to faculty expertise and enhanced support for graduate student success.
“I’m incredibly proud of our faculty, staff and graduate students. This recognition confirms our commitment to scholarship and the care we bring to preparing the next generation of educators and leaders,” said Amy Schweinle, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. “It reinforces my confidence that the USD School of Education is delivering a graduate experience marked by rigor, impact and meaningful mentorship.”
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