KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville continues to rank among the nation’s top graduate institutions, with multiple programs earning high marks in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings.
The rankings, released April 7, highlight UT’s strength across several academic disciplines, including engineering, business, fine arts, law, education, nursing, and veterinary medicine.
University officials say the recognition reflects sustained investment in academic excellence and student outcomes.
“Being recognized for outstanding graduate programs is a reflection of the transformational work of our talented faculty and exceptional students,” said Provost John Zomchick. “These rankings show that Tennessee’s flagship, land-grant university continues to provide pathways to prosperity and well-being for the Volunteer State.”
Nuclear Engineering, Supply Chain Programs Among Nation’s Best
Two of UT’s flagship programs stood out nationally, each ranking No. 2 among public universities:
- Nuclear Engineering (No. 3 overall nationally)
- Supply Chain Management (No. 8 overall nationally)
UT’s nuclear engineering program, housed in the Tickle College of Engineering, maintained its position as one of the top programs in the country for the second consecutive year. The engineering college overall rose to No. 28 among public universities and No. 50 nationwide.
Meanwhile, the supply chain management program in the Haslam College of Business continues a long streak of national recognition, marking its 12th consecutive year in the top 10 and eighth straight year in the top five among public institutions.
University leaders say the consistent rankings underscore UT’s growing reputation among employers and peer institutions.
Fine Arts, Law, and Education Programs See Strong Performance
Beyond engineering and business, several other graduate programs earned national recognition:
- Fine Arts: No. 7 among public universities, No. 28 overall
- Law (Winston College of Law): No. 29 among publics, No. 57 overall
- Education: No. 37 among publics, No. 47 overall
The law school also posted notable gains in specialty areas, including contracts-commercial law, health care law, and legal writing, all of which climbed significantly in the rankings.
Education leaders highlighted the program’s focus on preparing teachers and school leaders to meet evolving classroom demands across Tennessee.
Nursing, Veterinary Medicine Programs Gain Momentum
UT’s health-related programs also saw upward movement:
- Nurse Anesthesia: No. 15 among public universities, No. 27 overall
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Top 50 nationally
- Veterinary Medicine: No. 19 among public universities
Officials say growing demand for health care professionals has increased the importance of these programs, particularly as Tennessee faces workforce shortages in critical fields.
Business, Engineering Programs Continue Broad National Recognition
In addition to its top-ranked specialties, UT placed numerous graduate programs among the nation’s best public universities.
Business Programs Ranked:
- No. 15 Entrepreneurship
- No. 19 Full-time MBA
- No. 25 Accounting and Executive MBA
- No. 26 Management
- No. 28 Marketing
- No. 29 Finance
- No. 42 Business Analytics
Engineering Programs Ranked:
- No. 20 Biosystems Engineering
- No. 20 Materials Science
- No. 28 Industrial Engineering
- No. 31 Civil Engineering
- No. 32 Electrical Engineering
- No. 34 Aerospace Engineering
- No. 38 Environmental Engineering
- No. 42 Chemical Engineering
- No. 42 Mechanical Engineering
- No. 45 Computer Science
Graduate school leadership said the breadth of ranked programs reflects UT’s continued expansion in research and workforce-focused education.
“We are so proud of these graduate program rankings, which are evident of the exceptional work being done at UT,” said Vice Provost and Graduate School Dean Marieke Van Puymbroeck.
The latest rankings signal continued momentum for UT as it competes nationally for students, faculty, and research investment.
