2026 Best Education Schools
Looking for the best Education programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 2376 colleges 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.
To arm you with the information you need, 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 Education Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Claremont Graduate University to be the best Education school in the United States. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Claremont Graduate University
You'll be in good company at Bank Street College Of Education, which ranked #2 this year. Based in New York, NY, Bank Street College Of Education is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Bank Street College Of Education
The strong Education programs at Northwestern University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. The median Education program debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
You'll be in good company at Teachers College At Columbia University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Lebanon Valley College came in at #5 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Located in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lebanon Valley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Lebanon Valley College
Stanford University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Stanford University report
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #7 among Education schools in the United States. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. The median Education program debt is $18,559. More on University Of California Santa Cruz
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Graduates carry a median of $25,793 in student loans. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
Washington State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Washington State University Education students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. Read the full report on Washington State University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Delaware County Community College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Delaware County Community College is a public school based in Media, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical Education student debt is $13,340. See the full Delaware County Community College profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #12 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete their Education program here. Read more about University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Middlesex Community College Bedford landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bedford, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete their Education program here. See the full Middlesex Community College Bedford profile
Hope College placed #14 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Hope College
Western Washington University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,092 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Western Washington University report
Stanly Community College placed #16 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Albemarle, NC, Stanly Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Get the full Stanly Community College report
Valley City State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. The median Education program debt is $24,586. Read the full report on Valley City State University
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. Concordia College At Moorhead posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Get the full Concordia College At Moorhead report
Winona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. The median Education program debt is $26,772. Read more about Winona State University
Brown University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $13,025. More on Brown University
Concordia University Irvine landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Concordia University Irvine report
Seattle Pacific University landed the #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. The median Education program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern College Iowa
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Texas Christian University Education students take on a median of $25,996 in debt. Read more about Texas Christian University
Harvard University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full Harvard University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Fresno Pacific University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,660. Typical Education student debt is $22,248. Read the full report on Fresno Pacific University
University Of Delaware placed #27 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,128 to complete their Education program here. Read more about University Of Delaware
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Education program debt is $17,334. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Saint Norbert College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in De Pere, WI, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Norbert College posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Typical Education student debt is $25,141. Get the full Saint Norbert College report
Seattle University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $22,289. Read more about Seattle University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public school based in Aliso Viejo, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,540. Typical Education student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Texas Lutheran University placed #32 among Education schools in the United States. Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seguin, TX. Texas Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,230. Texas Lutheran University Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Texas Lutheran University report
Juniata College did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. Juniata College posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $58,580 in tuition and fees. Juniata College Education students take on a median of $26,976 in debt. Read more about Juniata College
Johns Hopkins University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Education students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of Scranton came in at #35 in this year's ranking. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. Get the full University Of Scranton report
Elizabethtown College placed #36 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Elizabethtown College report
Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Read more about Wisconsin Lutheran College
Westminster College Pa came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Westminster College Pa posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,290. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Westminster College Pa
University Of Puget Sound did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Puget Sound posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of Puget Sound
Central Washington University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Ellensburg, WA. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $23,016. Read the full report on Central Washington University
Drake University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. More on Drake University
Stevenson University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevenson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,560. Students borrow a median of $26,887 to complete their Education program here. More on Stevenson University
University Of Redlands placed #43 among Education schools in the United States. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Get the full University Of Redlands report
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. 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. Typical Education student debt is $25,041. See the full Saint Marys College Of California profile
Gonzaga University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. More on Gonzaga University
Baylor University placed #46 among Education schools in the United States. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. The median Education program debt is $26,432. Read more about Baylor University
Wagner College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,200. Graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. See the full Wagner College profile
Towson University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $20,933. Get the full Towson University report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $14,238. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $26,008. More on University Of Northern Iowa
Best Education Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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 2376 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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