2026 Best Education Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2376 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Education Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Urban College Of Boston to be the best Education school in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Urban College Of Boston is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,608. Read more about Urban College Of Boston
The strong Education programs at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. The median Education program debt is $13,340. Read more about Delaware County Community College
You'll be in good company at Middlesex Community College Bedford, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Middlesex Community College Bedford Education students take on a median of $11,602 in debt. Get the full Middlesex Community College Bedford report
The strong Education programs at Rasmussen College Florida earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $16,256. Typical Education student debt is $26,710. Get the full Rasmussen College Florida report
The strong Education programs at Community College Of Vermont earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Montpelier, VT, Community College Of Vermont is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Typical Education student debt is $10,357. Get the full Community College Of Vermont report
University Of Delaware came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. University Of Delaware Education students take on a median of $26,128 in debt. Read more about University Of Delaware
Campbell University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Buies Creek, NC. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,600. Campbell University Education students take on a median of $21,509 in debt. See the full Campbell University profile
Stanly Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Stanly Community College is a public school based in Albemarle, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. More on Stanly Community College
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Okmulgee, OK, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee
Northeast Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,799 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Northeast Community College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #11 among Education schools in the United States. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public school based in Fairbanks, AK. University Of Alaska Fairbanks graduates 39% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. University Of Alaska Fairbanks Education students take on a median of $24,573 in debt. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
South Texas College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $5,500. More on South Texas College
Rasmussen College Illinois landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in Rockford, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $16,581. Rasmussen College Illinois Education students take on a median of $26,710 in debt. See the full Rasmussen College Illinois profile
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Delaware Technical Community College Terry Education students take on a median of $8,450 in debt. More on Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Nhti Concords Community College placed #15 among Education schools in the United States. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $15,450 for out-of-state students. Nhti Concords Community College Education students take on a median of $13,317 in debt. More on Nhti Concords Community College
Essex County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical Education student debt is $12,472. See the full Essex County College profile
Ashford University placed #17 among Education schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. About 10% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. The median Education program debt is $35,751. More on Ashford University
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #18 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical Education student debt is $15,835. Read the full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Montgomery County Community College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Blue Bell, PA, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. The median Education program debt is $14,250. See the full Montgomery County Community College profile
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,199. Rasmussen College Minnesota Education students take on a median of $26,710 in debt. Read the full report on Rasmussen College Minnesota
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. The median Education program debt is $14,054. More on Alexandria Technical And Community College
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete their Education program here. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
Rasmussen College North Dakota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,404. Typical Education student debt is $26,710. See the full Rasmussen College North Dakota profile
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mequon, WI. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. The median Education program debt is $28,321. Read the full report on Concordia University Wisconsin
El Centro College placed #25 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. El Centro College Education students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. Get the full El Centro College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Spokane, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical Education student debt is $12,500. More on Spokane Falls Community College
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a public school based in Bronx, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Cuny Bronx Community College
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. The median Education program debt is $11,000. Get the full Fox Valley Technical College report
Rasmussen College Wisconsin ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private for-profit school is set in Green Bay, WI. Students from in state pay about $16,345 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $26,710. More on Rasmussen College Wisconsin
Sinclair Community College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Sinclair Community College is a public school based in Dayton, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. The median Education program debt is $12,129. Get the full Sinclair Community College report
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #31 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. The median Education program debt is $21,095. Get the full Milwaukee Area Technical College report
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Central Piedmont Community College Education students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Read the full report on Central Piedmont Community College
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Milledgeville, GA, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,605. Georgia Military College Milledgeville Education students take on a median of $11,116 in debt. More on Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Harrisburg, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. The median Education program debt is $16,838. See the full Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg profile
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Springfield, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. More on Springfield Technical Community College
Rasmussen College Kansas did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Topeka, KS, Rasmussen College Kansas is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,316. Typical Education student debt is $26,710. See the full Rasmussen College Kansas profile
Bucks County Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Bucks County Community College Education students take on a median of $14,125 in debt. See the full Bucks County Community College profile
Itawamba Community College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Itawamba Community College is a public school based in Fulton, MS. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. See the full Itawamba Community College profile
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Blue Ash, OH, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. The median Education program debt is $21,616. More on University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #41 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $11,125. Read the full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Batavia, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College Education students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Southern Adventist University placed #43 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Collegedale, TN, Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Southern Adventist University Education students take on a median of $24,250 in debt. Get the full Southern Adventist University report
Santa Fe Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Santa Fe, NM. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Graduates carry a median of $15,185 in student loans. Read more about Santa Fe Community College
Bristol Community College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Bristol Community College is a public school based in Fall River, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,788 in student loans. More on Bristol Community College
Brenau University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Gainesville, GA, Brenau University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,757. Graduates carry a median of $38,250 in student loans. See the full Brenau University profile
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waxahachie, TX. About 36% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $27,500. Get the full Southwestern Assemblies Of God University report
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Poplar Bluff, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. The median Education program debt is $9,000. Read the full report on Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,710 in student loans. See the full Cincinnati State Technical And Community College profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
Waukesha County Technical College placed #51 among Education schools in the United States. Waukesha County Technical College is a public school based in Pewaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Waukesha County Technical College Education students take on a median of $20,876 in debt. Read the full report on Waukesha County Technical College
Related Education Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Undergraduate Certificate 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
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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