Methodology for 2024 Best Graduate Schools Rankings

This document is a methodology report detailing how U.S. News & World Report calculated the 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings. It outlines the two primary types of data used in the rankings: expert opinions regarding program excellence and statistical indicators measuring the quality of faculty, research, and student outcomes. The report describes the data collection process, which involved surveys of 2,225 programs and feedback from approximately 5,766 academics and 10,941 professionals. Additionally, it explains how schools are scored based on input and output measures, including admissions test scores and post-graduate employment statistics. The report also highlights changes made in the 2024 edition, such as the introduction of new rankings for various health-related programs and adjustments in the weighting of outcome measures. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of using the rankings as a tool for prospective students while considering other factors in their decision-making process.