MPA Continues Its Rankings Rise in U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report continues to rank the Sawyer Business School’s Master of Public Administration program (MPA) as one of the best in the country. In the 2023-24 rankings, the program rose three spots to number 85 out of 269 programs listed. Over the past seven years, the program has jumped more than 30 spots.

“The latest MPA rankings are proof of the extraordinary commitment and achievements of our distinguished faculty and staff,” said Amy Zeng, dean of the Sawyer Business School. “We are honored at this continued national recognition.”

Suffolk’s MPA is a NASPAA-accredited master’s program, making it one of the country’s top-tier degrees in public administration. Students benefit not only from a practical, hands-on approach with case studies, guest speakers, and travel seminars but also from real-world experience in places like Boston City Hall and the Massachusetts State House, both of which are just steps from campus. Students can even customize their degrees with one of four concentrations: healthcare, state and local government, nonprofit management, and performance management. MPA alumni serve in a variety of public sector roles locally and nationally.

The rankings of public affairs programs are based on peer assessment survey results. In fall 2022 and early 2023, U.S. News surveyed deans, directors, and department chairs representing 269 master's programs in public affairs and administration. Two surveys were sent to each school. Respondents were asked to rate the academic quality of master's programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Scores for each school were totaled and divided by the number of respondents who rated that school. The response rate was 60%.

The Sawyer Business School is one of the few institutions in the nation that offer both AACSB-accredited business programs and a NASPAA-accredited MPA program. Learn more.