The University’s Law School maintained its 10th-place ranking on the nation’s top list of schools. Duke and Northwestern Universities, which were tied with the University last year, both dropped to No. 11 this year. Photo by Dan Tarjan.

The US News & World Report’s 2011 graduate school rankings for the University’s Darden, Law and Education schools all improved since last year’s listings.

The University’s Law School was 10th in the nation, a position it shared with the law programs of Duke University and Northwestern University last year. This year, both Duke and Northwestern dropped one spot to tie for No. 11. The Law School’s international law program was ranked ninth and its tax law program was ranked 10th.

Though Law School Dean Paul Mahoney was pleased with the rankings, he was hesitant to take them too seriously.

“The year-to-year fluctuations in rankings are not very meaningful,” Mahoney said, adding that the Law School focuses on educating and preparing the students to be “exceptional lawyers.”

The Darden School garnered the 13th spot in the nation, two slots up from the previous year. Factors causing the increase in rank include higher selectivity and improved evaluations on the part of recruiting companies, Darden Dean Robert Bruner said.

Finally, the Education School placed 21st in the nation, three spots better than last year’s rankings. It also ranked sixth in special education, sixth in secondary education and 10th in elementary education.

“We are really delighted. It is entirely consistent with commitments that we have made to quality and excellence and all that we do — research, teaching and public service,” Education Dean Bob Pianta said. “And it is a real credit to all of the faculty staff and students.”

The new ranking reflects the Education School’s increased publicity efforts and changes in admission and recruitment standards, Pianta said.

“We have also attended more to the role that research grants and research activity plays in the rankings, which is considerable.” The hiring of new faculty members has also contributed to the increase in rank, he said.

The US News and World Report Graduate School Report bases its rankings on peer and reputation surveys among academics and people in their respective fields, said Bob Morse, director of data research for the publication. Data from individual institutions were also assessed, he said.

Overall, top institutions maintained their positions in the new rankings, he said, attributing this to the institutions’ resources and ability to maintain high standards.

“The University of Virginia does really well in these rankings,” Morse said.