’s College of Education, Health and Human Services has earned four national rankings for the university in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools report, reinforcing its position as a leader in preparing professionals who improve lives through education, health and human services.
In the new rankings for 2026, placed No. 18 on the Best Rehabilitation Counseling list, maintaining its standing among the nation’s top programs in this field and making it the top-ranked program of its kind – public or private – in Ohio. The university earned a spot on the Best Audiology Programs list at No. 36 for the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium, which Kent State jointly administers with the University of Akron, making it the highest-ranked audiology program in northern Ohio.
also earned a top 100 placement on the Best Speech-Language Pathology Programs list at No. 78, moving up an impressive 14 spots from its previous ranking and making it the highest-ranked public institution in Northeast Ohio. Additionally, placed No. 117 on the Best Education Schools list, making it the highest-ranked institution in northern Ohio.
“Our college’s strong showing in these national rankings reflects the deep and lasting impact our programs have on the communities we serve,” said Alicia Crowe, Ph.D., interim dean of ’s College of Education, Health and Human Services. “Each recognition underscores our commitment to student success and our leadership in preparing professionals who advance education, health and human services in meaningful ways. I am incredibly proud of our faculty, staff and students whose dedication to excellence ensures that graduates are ready to meet real-world challenges and improve lives across Ohio and beyond.”
’s College of Education, Health and Human Services prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions in schools, healthcare settings and communities through a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. Grounded in research, innovation and community engagement, the college equips students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to address real-world challenges and improve quality of life. Its graduate offerings include advanced degrees in counseling, education, health sciences, human development and family science, public health and clinical disciplines, with flexible program formats designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and working professionals.
The college’s four rankings are part of a strong showing for overall. The university earned 20 national honors in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, with seven programs placing in the top 100. For the complete list of ’s new graduate school rankings for 2026 by U.S. News, visit www.kent.edu/today/news/kent-state-earns-20-national-honors-us-news-2026-best-graduate-schools-rankings.
U.S. News collects graduate school data annually to present the most current figures on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students compare institutions as they weigh their options and ultimately decide which school best fits their needs. For more information about the U.S. News 2026 rankings of Best Graduate Schools, visit .
For more information about ’s College of Education, Health and Human Services, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs.