2026 Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2376 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 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Education bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Typical Education student debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
A rank of #2 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Graduates carry a median of $25,793 in student loans. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Out of the 2376 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Texas Christian University landed the #3 spot. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Texas Christian University Education students take on a median of $25,996 in debt. Read more about Texas Christian University
A rank of #4 makes Pacific Lutheran University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Pacific Lutheran University Education students take on a median of $28,516 in debt. More on Pacific Lutheran University
Gonzaga University came in at #5 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. More on Gonzaga University
Northwestern College Iowa did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern College Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,710. The median Education program debt is $25,995. See the full Northwestern College Iowa profile
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete their Education program here. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
Bellevue University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bellevue University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $26,556. Get the full Bellevue University report
Lebanon Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Lebanon Valley College Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Lebanon Valley College report
Ithaca College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Ithaca College
Western Washington University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $26,092 in student loans. Get the full Western Washington University report
Washington State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $22,960. Get the full Washington State University report
Valley City State University placed #13 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans. See the full Valley City State University profile
Towson University placed #14 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. The median Education program debt is $20,933. More on Towson University
University Of Delaware came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical Education student debt is $26,128. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Winona State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Graduates carry a median of $26,772 in student loans. See the full Winona State University profile
Baylor University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,100. Typical Education student debt is $26,432. More on Baylor University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Education student debt is $19,500. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Rider University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Rider University Education students take on a median of $26,936 in debt. More on Rider University
Hope College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Holland, MI. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,484. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Get the full Hope College report
St Olaf College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on St Olaf College
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #22 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,334. Typical Education student debt is $21,537. More on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,334 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Graduates carry a median of $25,627 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia College At Moorhead posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $27,000. See the full Concordia College At Moorhead profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Marquette University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $26,552. More on Marquette University
Central Washington University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Central Washington University Education students take on a median of $23,016 in debt. Get the full Central Washington University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete their Education program here. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #29 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Peter, MN. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Gustavus Adolphus College
University Of Louisville did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. University Of Louisville Education students take on a median of $22,409 in debt. Read more about University Of Louisville
Wheaton College Illinois placed #31 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wheaton, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,546. The median Education program debt is $25,000. Read more about Wheaton College Illinois
Westminster College Pa did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Westminster College Pa graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. The median Education program debt is $27,000. More on Westminster College Pa
Seton Hall University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical Education student debt is $25,754. Read the full report on Seton Hall University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $25,918. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Vanderbilt University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Saint Norbert College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in De Pere, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. The median Education program debt is $25,141. Read the full report on Saint Norbert College
Fresno Pacific University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fresno, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Fresno Pacific University Education students take on a median of $22,248 in debt. More on Fresno Pacific University
Drake University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Drake University
Texas Lutheran University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seguin, TX. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $36,230 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. See the full Texas Lutheran University profile
University Of Scranton ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full University Of Scranton report
Syracuse University placed #41 among Education schools in the United States. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. The median Education program debt is $26,724. Read more about Syracuse University
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa Education students take on a median of $26,008 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Saint Martins University placed #43 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lacey, WA. Saint Martins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,510. Typical Education student debt is $22,818. Get the full Saint Martins University report
Juniata College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $58,580 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Juniata College
Centenary College placed #45 among Education schools in the United States. Centenary College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hackettstown, NJ. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,732. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. See the full Centenary College profile
Elizabethtown College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Elizabethtown College
Salisbury University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $24,068 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Salisbury University
Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,110. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Read more about Wisconsin Lutheran College
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Education student debt is $23,673. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $19,378 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Related Education Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Doctoral 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 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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