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George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government continues to rise among the nation’s most respected public affairs institutions, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings released today.
Two of the school’s cornerstone specialties continued to shine: the school's Nonprofit Management ranking held firm at No. 13 in the nation, while the Homeland Security ranking maintained its strength at No. 4.
The school climbed three spots to No. 36 nationally in the Best Public Affairs Schools category. The school has consistently risen in the rankings, and this milestone marks the highest placement for the Schar School to date. This trend reflects the school’s growing impact in public service education.
In the Public Policy Analysis specialty category, the Schar School also moved up three positions, now ranked No. 31 in the country.
For the first time, the Schar School earned recognition in the Public Management and Leadership category, debuting at No. 33. This new ranking highlights the Schar School’s commitment to developing the next generation of public leaders through a range of programs, including the Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows program, NEW Leadership® Virginia, the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative, and the U.S. Marine Corps Congressional Fellows Program.
Nonprofit Center Adds New Tools
The rise in rankings comes as Schar School’s Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise is strengthening its position as a thought leader in the nonprofit sector.
Led by Professor Alan Abramson, the center recently launched the GMU-Nonprofit Works Data Explorer, a tool offering official data on nonprofit sector employment from 1990 to 2022. This complements ongoing research from the Nonprofit Employment Data Project.
Associate Professor Mirae Kim, also the director of the Master of Public Administration program, contributes to a national effort to survey nonprofits on emerging trends and impacts, providing critical insights to sector leaders and stakeholders.
Alongside Professor Stefan Toepler, Abramson and Kim coedit Nonprofit Policy Forum, a leading peer-reviewed, open access journal. The center’s research and projects also offer students hands-on experience while advancing understanding of the nonprofit landscape.
Security Studies Faculty with Real-World Expertise
The Schar School’s strength in homeland security is based in both academic excellence and real-world relevance. Taught by national security and intelligence experts, the program connects students with top practitioners and policymakers.
The Schar School’s scholarship in security studies is both relevant and broad, tackling homeland security from a variety of angles. Professor Qian Hu is a nationally recognized expert in emergency management, known for her research on disaster resilience and crisis communication. Assistant Professor Ketian Zhang recently published a widely acclaimed book, China's Gambit: The Calculus of Coercion on China’s forceful foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Michael Hunzeker’s research on security dynamics in the Taiwan Strait provides critical context for understanding rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. He recently spearheaded the launch of the Taiwan Security Monitor online tool. Assistant Professors Meghan Garrity and J. Luis Rodriguez also contribute important scholarship in international security, focusing on conflict prevention, diplomacy, and global strategic competition. Last year, Rodriguez was awarded the inaugural Martin J. Sherwin Fellowship by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars for his work on nuclear policy and international history.
The Schar School also boasts the prestigious Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security and the Center for Security Policy Studies.
Overall, George Mason ranked among the top 5 in Virginia across all 25 categories in the engineering, law, nursing, and policy programs.
“George Mason’s representation in these rankings underscores its role as a leading institution and top choice for today’s career-focused students, both in Virginia and nationally,” said Provost James Antony. “The university’s strong performance in these programs highlights its ability to produce highly skilled graduates ready to make an impact in their fields, with the majority staying in the commonwealth after graduation.”
Check out the full list of George Mason rankings.
Additional reporting by Paola Duran.