U.S. News ranks four UMKC graduate programs among Top 100 nationwide

  Faculty from four UMKC graduate programs earned high praise from university deans this spring, as their dedication to research and pride in their students’ success helped propel their programs into the Top 100 nationwide. 

  The UMKC School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences, School of Law, School of Nursing and Health Studies and the School of Medicine were all recognized in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.  

  Despite differences across disciplines, one thing remains the same—the unwavering dedication of UMKC faculty. To be ranked in the Top 100, U.S. News evaluates nine factors. Research expenditures are weighted the heaviest at 30%, with average research expenditures per faculty member being a close second. 

  Jacob Marzsalek, an associate dean in the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, elaborated on the criteria. The remaining factors considered were “peer assessment score (12.5%), educational professionals assessment score (12.5%), total doctoral degrees granted (8%), student-faculty ratio (5%), percentage of faculty with awards (5%), graduate degrees granted-faculty ratio (2%), and acceptance rate (5%).”

  Amidst UMKC’s recent recognition as an R1 Institution, this came as no surprise.  

  The deans of each program emphasized the significant impact faculty-led research had on the advancement of their respective programs, using words like dedication, perseverance, and creativity. 

  “Our school had impressive numbers in both categories, with $14.56 million in research expenditures,” said Marszalek.

  While the level of spending on research is critical to being ranked within the Top 100, the impact of what this research achieved is more telling. 

  For example, the UMKC School of Law holds claim to the nation’s 32nd most downloaded public law school research. For Dean Lou Mulligan this metric showcases the high-level of respect his faculty commands. 

  “When people want to know what the law is they want to know what UMKC professors are saying,” said Mulligan. 

  Across all four programs, faculty encourage academic excellence, student connection to peers and mentors, and career-readiness. The Kansas City community recognizes it, students take advantage of it—now the rest of the country is beginning to follow suit. 

  “To know that my law school is now listed in the Top 100 means that the rest of the country will know what Kansas City has already known,” said Doug Grace, 2026 Juris Doctor candidate. “We have just been waiting for everyone else to catch up.”

  Though the rankings are news, the foundation of these programs’ success has been constant through the years: positive student experiences fostered by involved and caring faculty.

  “We have a very open door policy and welcome students to stop in with questions or concerns, even if they are personal,” said Jennifer Dierks, a clinical professor at the School of Law. “Students feel how much we care and it makes the law school experience much more meaningful.”

  UMKC may lack the size or aesthetics of larger neighboring institutions like the University of Kansas or Mizzou, but UMKC’s Top 100 graduate programs are making up for it with “academics and a competitive, but welcoming spirit,” said Grace. 

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