The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University once again affirms its status as a premier institution for public affairs education, earning national distinction in the latest graduate program rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.
The Wilder School is ranked No. 36 among the nation's Best Public Affairs Programs, a distinction that reflects its enduring commitment to academic excellence, faculty-driven research, and the development of principled, forward-thinking leaders in public service.
Rising three spots since last year and 21 spots since 2018, we are incredibly proud to continue our upward trajectory as a center of innovation and influence, where faculty expertise and student engagement drive real-world impact across communities and institutions.
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Being recognized within the top 15 percent of schools nationwide — out of more than 300 institutions — underscores our mission as a leader in public affairs education, where interdisciplinary scholarship, evidence-based policy solutions, and experiential learning converge to prepare students for complex challenges in government, nonprofit, and international sectors.
“For a school of public affairs, especially one in the capital of our Commonwealth to be so ranked helps to rectify our past,” said Governor L. Douglas Wilder. “Virginia was a huge part of the historical separation between races and classes of people. To be nationally recognized today for transformative educational leadership is personally appreciated and significant. Those who choose to study public administration at our school are fortunate and will develop a greater understanding of where we have been and where we need to go in public service.”
Two of the Wilder School’s graduate specialties were also recognized among the best programs in their respective fields:
- For the second consecutive year, the Wilder School ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security programs nationwide, underscoring the Wilder School’s leadership in preparing professionals to respond to the increasingly complex landscape of domestic and global threats and disaster response.
- Ranked No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership, we’re consistently recognized for our programs and strength in equipping public sector leaders with the strategic, ethical, and analytical tools to guide high-performing organizations.
