U.S. News Ranks UNC Graduate Health Programs Among Nation’s Best in 2026

U.S. News & World Report once again highlights the strength of graduate education at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), with several programs in the College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) earning recognition in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools national rankings.

Leading the way is UNC’s Rehabilitation Counseling master’s program, which continues its long-standing national prominence, tied at No. 11 among 75 programs nationwide. Climbing two spots from last year, it has maintained a place among the top programs in the country for 13 consecutive years and is the only graduate rehabilitation counseling program in Colorado accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

UNC’s Speech-Language Pathology master’s program, offered on campus and hybrid online, is also on the rise, jumping 14 spots to tie at No. 78 among 287 programs nationwide.

“The sustained national recognition of Rehabilitation Counseling and the significant rise of Speech-Language Pathology speaks to the strength of graduate education in the College of Natural and Health Sciences,” said NHS Dean Kamel Haddad. “Our programs combine academic rigor with meaningful community impact, and these rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty, the excellence of our students and alumni and our commitment to preparing professionals who make a meaningful difference across Colorado and the nation.”

Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond a four-year degree, the Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines. U.S. News collects graduate school data annually and presents figures related to enrollment, job placement, faculty and other indicators that can help prospective students make informed decisions.

In addition to the rankings listed above, other UNC graduate programs that ranked in the top 100 include:

• No. 40 — Audiology
• No. 94 — Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
• No. 99 — Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

About UNC’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program

Since 1964, UNC’s Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling has provided students with the education and training necessary to help individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses achieve maximum potential, meaningful employment and full community integration.

“Rehabilitation counseling is the ‘best kept secret’ in the field of counseling, and graduates are strongly recruited to by federal, state and local agencies to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities,” said Jill Bezyak, professor and program coordinator.

UNC’s two-and-a-half-year program combines coursework and hands-on instruction, including supervised on-campus clinical practicum experiences working with individuals and their families and an off-campus internship with a community service agency. Students also have the option to complete the program online. Graduates of the program become certified rehabilitation counselors and are eligible for licensure as a professional counselor. In addition, UNC graduates consistently demonstrate exceptional outcomes, with 78% passing the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam and 100% of job-seeking graduates finding employment in their field.

“One thing that makes our program so unique is our strong connections and roots in the rehabilitation community, including UNC’s Rocky Mountain ADA Center,” said Bezyak. “We maintain close relationships with our alumni, the majority of whom remain in Colorado, allowing us to expand upon that connected community so we all continue working as a team.”

An added benefit for UNC students is the availability of competitive funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education specifically earmarked to increase the number of qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors. The five-year grant, which is part of the RSA Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Scholarship Program, was awarded in October 2025 and covers nine credits of tuition and fees and a stipend.

For more information on graduate programs at UNC, visit the Graduate School.