TL/DR –
Eight of the University of Kansas Medical Center’s graduate programs have been ranked among the top 50 in the US by U.S. News & World Report, with two ranking in the top 10 for public institutions. The physical therapy doctoral program ranked 8th among public schools and 16th across all institutions, and the speech language pathology program ranked 10th among public schools and 13th overall. The KU School of Medicine was named a Tier 1 school in the Medical School-Primary Care category and ranked 10th in the country for the most graduates practicing in rural areas.
University of Kansas Medical Center excels in U.S. News & World Report rankings
The University of Kansas Medical Center’s eight graduate programs have made a significant impact on the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Two of these programs secure spots within the top 10 public institutions. The rankings prove that KU School of Health Professions has some of the best graduate programs in the US.
The Physical Therapy doctoral program has retained its top 10 standing among public schools for the second consecutive year, clinching the 8th spot. Overall, including public and private institutions, it stands at the 16th position.
Patricia Kluding, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, voiced her pride in the school’s recognition as one of the country’s top institutions for physical therapy.
Other notable programs include the Speech Language Pathology program and the Occupational Therapy doctoral program. These programs ranked 10th and 13th respectively among public institutions. Audiology and Nurse-Anesthesia also earned the 14th and 25th spots respectively among public institutions.
Abiodun Akinwuntan, Ph.D., dean of KU School of Health Professions, expressed pleasure in having five graduate programs rank within the top 25 public institutions in the US, including two in the top 10. He emphasized the schools’ mission to produce excellent healthcare professionals for Kansas and beyond.
Since 2024, U.S News has categorized medical schools into tiers, with Tier 1 being the highest. In 2026, KU School of Medicine ranked as a Tier 1 school in the Medical School-Primary Care category, making it one of only 16 institutions countrywide to achieve this status. For their contributions in rural and underserved areas, they ranked 10th and 18th respectively.
KU School of Medicine also earned the 34th spot for producing the highest number of primary care practitioners. Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., executive dean of KU School of Medicine, expressed pride in their commitment to preparing exceptional physicians and their faculty’s growing influence on global health communities.
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