Thinking of heading to the US for your master’s or doctorate degree? A top-ranked postgraduate program can give you a sense of which universities offer rigorous academics and professional opportunities, key factors to consider when determining where to apply to grad school. U.S. News & World Report has announced its Best Graduate Schools for the 2024-2025 academic year, and we’re pleased to share that Shorelight universities are featured in several top 100 categories.
Check out a few highlights – then check out our School Match Tool to start planning your study abroad journey!
Note that not all programs may be available through Shorelight. Speak to your Shorelight advisor for more details.
Best Graduate Programs for Business
Fortune magazine reports that, in the US, a person who has an MBA can expect to earn $3 million more than one who completed a bachelor’s degree. If you’re not particularly interested in an MBA, graduate programs in data science, health care management, and international business, among other specialized topics, can lead to high earnings and flexible opportunities around the world.
If you’re considering a graduate degree in business, Shorelight universities included in U.S. News & World Report’s top-100 programs for 2025 include:
#38 – University of Utah
#53 – Rutgers University
#57 – University of South Carolina
#60 – University of Kansas
#62 – Tulane University
#74 – University at Buffalo
#81 – Auburn University
#85 – American University
#89 – Pepperdine University
Browse Shorelight graduate business programs >
Best Graduate Programs for Engineering
Using ingenuity to create solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges – and collaborating alongside leading innovators – are just a few reasons why earning a graduate degree engineering is so appealing. Engineers continue to be in demand and are compensated accordingly: U.S. News & World Report’s updated list of graduate degree jobs that earn more than $100K includes multiple engineering careers including aerospace, architectural engineering, computer hardware engineer, and environmental engineer as specializations with bright futures.
In 2025, the following engineering programs at Shorelight universities earned top-100 rankings.
#3 – University of California, Berkeley
#14 – Johns Hopkins University
#54 – University of Dayton
#56 (tie) – Auburn University
#56 (tie) – University at Buffalo
#56 (tie) – University of Utah
#61 – Stony Brook University
#65 – University of Illinois Chicago
#72 – University of Central Florida
#93 – University of South Carolina
Browse Shorelight graduate engineering programs >
Best Graduate Programs in Education
According to Pepperdine University’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, earning a master’s degree in education can increase a teacher’s salary by 10 to 15%, on average. Additionally, the National Education Association’s (NEA) 2023 Salary Benchmark Report cited the top of the teacher pay scale at $77,926, noting that salary level typically requires a PhD or significant credit hours beyond a master’s degree. So if you are passionate about education, investing in a graduate degree is often a smart decision for your future earnings in the field.
Several Shorelight universities were included in 2025 top-100 rankings for education graduate degrees from U.S. News & World Report:
#20 – University of Kansas
#29 – University of South Carolina
#42 – University of Central Florida
#46 – UMass Boston
#54 – University at Buffalo
#99 (tie) – Auburn University
#99 (tie) – University of Nevada, Reno
#99 (tie) – University of Utah
Browse Shorelight education graduate degree programs >
Eager to study abroad for your master’s degree? Shorelight advisors are available to offer expert guidance and support. Speak to an expert Shorelight counselor today to find your best-fit program, get help with your application, prepare for the student visa process, and more. Here’s to your amazing future!
Talk to a Shorelight advisor >
See all the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Graduate Rankings >
