This research article examines the relationship of individual scholars to overall research production and develops new ranking schema upon the absence of top individual scholarship as demonstrations of individual scholarship relative to total rankings. The study creates a ranking system focused on the impact of individual scholars in public administration research. The contributions of this ranking system are to provide a different view than traditional ranking schemas at the institutional and departmental level. In addition, questions about the significance of scholarship within the discipline and for academic institutions outlines the reinforcing nature of systems aimed at identifying a "best" within public administration. Comparisons of findings are discussed in contrast to reputational and prestige ranking systems. Subsequent discussion is focused on the importance of individual scholarship to the institutional rankings through evaluating individual movement between institutions.