U.S. News ranked 18 of Washington University's graduate and professional programs in the nation's top 10, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.

"We are pleased to see a steady growth in the recognition of the quality of our graduate and professional programs -- which reflects the superb faculty and students who teach, learn and do research here," Wrighton said. "The fact that 18 of our graduate-level programs are now ranked in the nation's top 10 by U.S. News is gratifying evidence of our strengths in many academic disciplines."

William A Peck, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, said, "We are proud and honored that the School of Medicine continues to be ranked among the very best institutions. We have been a top-10 program in the 15 years that U.S. News and World Report magazine has been conducting these rankings.

"This national recognition is a wonderful testament to the great work that is done here by an exceptional community of scholars and clinicians."

Other improvements in the School of Medicine include an increase for the AIDS program to a tie for 10th in the nation from a previous tie for 12th. Cell biology was ranked for the first time at number 10, as was molecular biology.

The drug and alcohol abuse program rose from a tie for 10th to 8th, and internal medicine rose from 5th to 4th. Pediatrics rose from 7th to 6th.