2026 Best Education Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2376 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Urban College Of Boston earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Urban College Of Boston is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,608. Read the full report on Urban College Of Boston
You'll be in good company at Western Washington University, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Western Washington University Education students take on a median of $26,092 in debt. Get the full Western Washington University report
Valley City State University came in at #3 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Set in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Valley City State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical Education student debt is $24,586. Read more about Valley City State University
Out of the 2376 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Martin Luther College landed the #4 spot. Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit school based in New Ulm, MN. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Martin Luther College Education students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. More on Martin Luther College
Stanly Community College came in at #5 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Stanly Community College is a public school based in Albemarle, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Read more about Stanly Community College
College Of Lake County placed #6 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Grayslake, IL, College Of Lake County is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. See the full College Of Lake County profile
Relay Graduate School Of Education did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read more about Relay Graduate School Of Education
Washington State University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Read more about Washington State University
Santa Fe Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $15,185. Read more about Santa Fe Community College
Front Range Community College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Westminster, CO, Front Range Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Front Range Community College Education students take on a median of $16,150 in debt. More on Front Range Community College
Rasmussen College Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Rasmussen College Florida is a private for-profit school based in Ocala, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Graduates carry a median of $26,710 in student loans. See the full Rasmussen College Florida profile
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Typical Education student debt is $11,602. Read the full report on Middlesex Community College Bedford
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,835 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. The median Education program debt is $16,812. Read more about Madison Area Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $25,495. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Education student debt is $25,918. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Central Piedmont Community College
Messiah College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Messiah College Education students take on a median of $26,997 in debt. Get the full Messiah College report
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,043 to complete their Education program here. See the full University Of Minnesota Duluth profile
University Of Wyoming did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $18,112. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
Saint Cloud State University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Saint Cloud State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Saint Cloud State University Education students take on a median of $29,842 in debt. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,378 to complete their Education program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
University Of Georgia landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical Education student debt is $20,746. Read more about University Of Georgia
Purdue University Main Campus placed #26 among Education schools in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Education student debt is $20,533. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Kansas State University placed #27 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $23,075. Read more about Kansas State University
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $8,450. Read the full report on Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Ball State University placed #30 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. See the full Ball State University profile
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Concord, NH, Nhti Concords Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. The median Education program debt is $13,317. More on Nhti Concords Community College
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
Northern State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Northern State University Education students take on a median of $24,242 in debt. More on Northern State University
University Of Florida landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,608 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #35 among Education schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in St. Cloud, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,199. The median Education program debt is $26,710. Get the full Rasmussen College Minnesota report
Rasmussen College Illinois did well this year, earning the #36 position. Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit school based in Rockford, IL. Students from in state pay about $16,581 in tuition and fees. Rasmussen College Illinois Education students take on a median of $26,710 in debt. More on Rasmussen College Illinois
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a public school based 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. Get the full Spokane Falls Community College report
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Education students take on a median of $25,627 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stout report
University Of Louisville did well this year, earning the #39 position. University Of Louisville is a public school based in Louisville, KY. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Graduates carry a median of $22,409 in student loans. See the full University Of Louisville profile
Rowan University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Rowan University
Viterbo University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Crosse, WI. Viterbo University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Viterbo University Education students take on a median of $29,107 in debt. Read the full report on Viterbo University
Bemidji State University placed #42 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,911 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Bemidji State University
Augusta University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Augusta University is a public school based in Augusta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,398 in student loans. More on Augusta University
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Springfield Technical Community College is a public school based in Springfield, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. Read more about Springfield Technical Community College
Miami Dade College placed #45 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Miami Dade College Education students take on a median of $9,671 in debt. See the full Miami Dade College profile
American University did well this year, earning the #46 position. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. The median Education program debt is $27,000. See the full American University profile
Delaware County Community College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Delaware County Community College
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Graduates carry a median of $28,025 in student loans. See the full Minot State University profile
Saint Johns River State College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Palatka, FL, Saint Johns River State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Graduates carry a median of $12,956 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Johns River State College
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #50 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $28,682 to complete their Education program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. The median Education program debt is $25,323. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Eastern Washington University ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Eastern Washington University is a public school based in Cheney, WA. Eastern Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Graduates carry a median of $22,796 in student loans. Read more about Eastern Washington University
Related Education Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.