Syracuse Sun

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs has achieved the top position in the U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Public Affairs Schools rankings. This accolade comes as Maxwell marks 100 years since its establishment as the first institution in the United States to offer a one-year graduate program in public administration.

Dean David M. Van Slyke stated, "We are honored to be recognized for our work by peers at institutions of higher education dedicated to public service." Van Slyke emphasized the importance of the school's mission, highlighting the goal to "prepare the next generation of leaders dedicated to improving their communities, strengthening democracy and leaving the world better than they found it."

The ranking methodology involves surveys from deans, directors, and department chairs representing 268 master's programs in public affairs and public administration. Schools are evaluated on a 5-point scale, with the average score determining the ranking. Respondents can also nominate up to 15 schools for excellence in 12 subspecialties.

U.S. News initiated these rankings in 1995, and the Maxwell School has consistently occupied the No. 1 spot in all except one survey. The school is also highly ranked in 10 specialized areas, such as environmental policy and management, health policy, public finance, and public management.

Associate Dean Len Lopoo remarked, "We are honored for this recognition and thankful to our peers." He attributed the ranking to the "tremendous research and teaching done by our faculty and the outstanding contributions to public affairs made by our many accomplished alums."

Founded in 1924 as the School of American Citizenship by Syracuse University alumnus George Holmes Maxwell, the school originally offered a graduate program in public administration, an undergraduate citizenship course, and a weekly political science seminar. Presently, Maxwell hosts 12 academic departments and 15 research centers, tackling issues like environmental sustainability, autonomous systems policy, and global affairs.