ColoradoSPH has risen to #14 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings of schools of public health. The school climbed five positions from its #19 ranking just one year ago. This is the second major national ranking this year in which ColoradoSPH has advanced.
In February, the school also announced a rise to #17 in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) rankings, reflecting continued growth in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. In 2025, the School’s NIH research portfolio surpassed $22 million, an increase of more than $10 million since the school first entered the Top 20 in 2020. These latest rankings underscore the school’s growing national leadership in public health education, research, and practice.
“Even amid a year of challenges and uncertainty, our community came together in extraordinary ways,” said Colorado School of Public Health Dean Cathy Bradley, PhD. “This recognition is a testament to what we can accomplish when we move forward as one community dedicated to improving public health. We have achieved a win for not just the school, but for the people of Colorado.”
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings evaluated more than 215 schools and programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The rankings are based on peer assessment surveys completed by deans, administrators, and faculty. Specialty rankings were determined through nominations in which respondents identified up to 15 programs noted for excellence in each field, with programs ranked according to the number of nominations received.
Over the past year, the school has expanded its statewide outreach efforts, launched new community‑funded research projects, bolstered its federal funding portfolio, and recruited researchers in areas such as global health and biostatistics. These strategic efforts, complemented by record-breaking philanthropic support and investments in student scholarship opportunities, have contributed greatly to the school’s momentum and recognition as a leader in the sector.