2026 Best Educational Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Educational Administration doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 932 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Educational Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #2 on this year's Educational Administration ranking in the United States. Based in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete their Educational Administration program here. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile
Out of the 932 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Educational Administration students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
A rank of #4 makes New York University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
Out of the 932 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Concordia University Irvine landed the #5 spot. Based in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Read more about Concordia University Irvine
Centenary College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hackettstown, NJ. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Centenary College Educational Administration students take on a median of $25,081 in debt. More on Centenary College
Loyola Marymount University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. The median Educational Administration program debt is $22,248. See the full Loyola Marymount University profile
University Of Delaware came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Educational Administration program here. More on University Of Delaware
University Of St Francis placed #9 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Based in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,110. Graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. See the full University Of St Francis profile
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit school based in Gwynedd Valley, PA. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,838. Students borrow a median of $29,764 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read more about Gwynedd Mercy College
University Of Maryland College Park placed #11 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
The Sage Colleges ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Located in Troy, NY, The Sage Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. The Sage Colleges posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,164. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $26,702. See the full The Sage Colleges profile
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Educational Administration program here. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Wilkes University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,496. Graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Read the full report on Wilkes University
University Of Colorado Denver placed #15 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. The median Educational Administration program debt is $26,582. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Lehigh University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. See the full Lehigh University profile
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Educational Administration program here. More on University Of Southern California
St Johns University New York came in at #18 in this year's ranking. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school based in Queens, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. St Johns University New York Educational Administration students take on a median of $25,521 in debt. Read more about St Johns University New York
University Of California Davis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $14,404. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Creighton University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. The median Educational Administration program debt is $25,831. Get the full Creighton University report
Drake University placed #21 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $22,273. Read more about Drake University
Washington State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Washington State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Washington State University Educational Administration students take on a median of $21,903 in debt. Read more about Washington State University
University Of North Georgia came in at #23 in this year's ranking. University Of North Georgia is a public school based in Dahlonega, GA. University Of North Georgia graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Georgia
Concordia University Chicago ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Located in River Forest, IL, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Concordia University Chicago Educational Administration students take on a median of $26,956 in debt. Read more about Concordia University Chicago
National Louis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Based in Chicago, IL, National Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Read more about National Louis University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Educational Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
California State University San Bernardino did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in San Bernardino, CA. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. See the full California State University San Bernardino profile
California Lutheran University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. California Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Get the full California Lutheran University report
Gonzaga University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Seattle Pacific University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Located in Azusa, CA, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. The median Educational Administration program debt is $23,709. Read the full report on Azusa Pacific University
Minnesota State University Moorhead did well this year, earning the #31 position. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. The median Educational Administration program debt is $24,447. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Moorhead
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Texas Christian University Educational Administration students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Edgewood College placed #33 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Edgewood College is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, WI. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,860. Edgewood College Educational Administration students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. See the full Edgewood College profile
George Washington University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. George Washington University Educational Administration students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. Get the full George Washington University report
Iowa State University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Get the full Iowa State University report
San Diego State University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. San Diego State University Educational Administration students take on a median of $16,417 in debt. See the full San Diego State University profile
Saint Josephs University placed #37 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Read more about Saint Josephs University
University Of Redlands came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Redlands, CA, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. The median Educational Administration program debt is $27,175. More on University Of Redlands
California State University Sacramento came in at #39 in this year's ranking. California State University Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. California State University Sacramento Educational Administration students take on a median of $17,492 in debt. Read more about California State University Sacramento
Aurora University placed #40 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit school based in Aurora, IL. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read more about Aurora University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Educational Administration student debt is $20,778. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Salisbury University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. The median Educational Administration program debt is $23,545. See the full Salisbury University profile
Saint Marys College Of California landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
University Of Northern Iowa placed #44 among Educational Administration schools in the United States. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. The median Educational Administration program debt is $22,635. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Wilmington University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Castle, DE. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Read more about Wilmington University
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Educational Administration program here. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Pacific University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Forest Grove, OR. Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $56,374 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete their Educational Administration program here. Read more about Pacific University
Northern Illinois University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Dekalb, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. The median Educational Administration program debt is $25,209. Read the full report on Northern Illinois University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Educational Administration schools. Set in La Crosse, WI, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. The median Educational Administration program debt is $23,551. Read more about University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Related Educational Administration Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Educational Administration Schools (All Levels)
- Best Educational Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Educational Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Educational Administration Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Educational Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Educational Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Educational Administration Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 932 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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