Several programs at The University of New Mexico were ranked in the upcoming issue of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools” for 2018 after surveying more than 1,970 graduate programs in compiling the rankings.

Topping the list was the UNM School of Medicine, which ranked third for its Rural Medicine Program. The SOM has maintained this top-five national ranking since 1996, underscoring UNM’s commitment to programs that serve New Mexico’s rural communities.

The magazine also ranks the school’s Family Medicine 11th and the Primary Care Curriculum (PCC) 18th in the nation, up considerably from its 45th ranking last year. The university’s PCC was developed in the 1970s and was one of the first to use a problem-based learning method that combines student-centered, small-group education with early clinical skills through community-based, self-directed instruction, which has become the accepted model for medical training in the U.S.

Ranked by directors and faculty, UNM made the top 10 schools for nurse-midwifery at No. 7. In terms of research, the School of Medicine was tied for No. 80.

“From its onset, the Health Sciences Center has had its finger on the pulse of our state’s health care needs,” said Dr. Paul Roth, UNM executive vice president and chancellor for Health Sciences and School of Medicine dean. “Our ability to quickly but thoughtfully develop research and health care initiatives for all New Mexicans has kept us at the forefront of both rural medicine and primary care education.”

“These national rankings directly reflect our priorities in training our healthcare work force, and reaffirm that we are addressing New Mexico’s unique health challenges and opportunities in providing quality health care.”

Additional rankings included: College of Fine Arts (photography program), No. 5; College of Fine Arts (Art and Art History), No. 48; School of Law, No. 77 and Engineering, No. 99.

The College of Fine Arts’ photography program was recognized in the specialties sub-ranking at No. 5, while the Department of Art and Art History was ranked No. 48, and was judged on rankings provided by the dean and department chairs.

UNM's School of Law tied for No. 77 (out of 148) overall. UNM tied with the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, University of Miami, University of San Diego and Villanova University. The School of Law's Clinical Training program ranked No. 14. Additionally, UNM's School of Law was also among the most diverse with a 36 percent Hispanic population.

The UNM School of Public Administration tied with several other schools at No. 86 for its public affairs program. The program ratings were based on a survey of academics at peer institutions.

“The rise in the US News & World Report rankings is an important indication of how strongly UNM’s School of Public Administration is growing and developing,” said Felipe Gonzales, director, UNM SPA.

UNM's School of Engineering program made the list that ranked the top 99 schools, coming in at No. 99, which tied the SOE with Louisiana State University- Baton Rouge and University of Oklahoma. The School was analyzed for its GRE scores, acceptance rate and research expenditures. According to the report, its research expenditures totaled $33 million in 2016.