Drake Programs Ranked Among Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
National survey highlights excellence in Law, Health Sciences, and Education
Drake University has once again been recognized as an exceptional school for advanced professional education, with multiple programs ranked among the top in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings. The national survey recognized Drake for its strong programming across several disciplines. The University’s Law School, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS), and the School of Education each earned high rankings in this year’s list.
“It is an honor to once again be recognized by U.S. News and World Report,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “These rankings reflect the unmatched value of a Drake education. Whether in the courtroom, the clinic, or the classroom, our graduate programs are designed to meet workforce needs and prepare our students to lead in today’s complex work environments.”
Significant Gains for Drake Law School
Drake University Law School is ranked No. 91 in the “Best Law Schools” list, marking the fourth consecutive year the school has placed within the top 100 nationally. The Law School is being celebrated for its specialized, skill-based training programs, including:
- Legal Writing: Jumped six spots to No. 11 in the nation.
- Trial Advocacy: Climbed 20 spots to rank No. 92.
- Clinical Training: Ranked No. 66 in the country.
- Constitutional Law: Ranked No. 95 in the country.
The school also received recognition in several other specialty areas, including Business/Corporate Law (No. 101), Intellectual Property Law (No. 106), and Dispute Resolution (No. 107).
“Our rising performance in areas like legal writing, trial advocacy, and clinical training demonstrates our commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates,” said Roscoe Jones, Jr., dean of the Drake University Law School. “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our faculty, staff, and students.”
National Standing in Health Sciences
Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences maintained its reputation for elite professional training, with several programs earning high national marks:
- Pharmacy: Ranked top 5 private (No. 49 overall in the nation)
- Occupational Therapy: Ranked No. 1 in Iowa, top 25 private (No. 51 overall in the nation)
“The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences continues to be a national leader by offering a diverse portfolio of programs that directly support both student demand and regional workforce needs,” said Erik Maki, dean of Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “These rankings underscore the work we are doing to live out our mission of improving health outcomes in the communities we serve.”
National Standing in Education
In addition to the University’s School of Education being recognized in the top third of the “Best Education Schools” list, its Rehabilitation Counseling program was ranked 50th in the country.
“This recognition places our School of Education among the top tier of programs nationally,” said Ryan Wise, dean of the Drake University School of Education. “The strong ranking of our Rehabilitation Counseling program is one example of the high-quality preparation happening across our school.”
A Tradition of Value and Student Outcomes
The recent graduate rankings build upon Drake’s strong performance in the U.S. News 2025 National University Rankings, in which the University was named a top 100 “Best Value” school in the nation among national schools. Drake also remains a standout in Iowa, boasting the highest projected graduation rate and the lowest student-to-faculty ratio among Iowa schools in the national university rankings.
U.S. News & World Report evaluates professional programs based on expert opinions regarding program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research, and student outcomes, including bar passage rates and job placement.
