2026 Best Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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 produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Education Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Claremont Graduate University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Read the full report on Claremont Graduate University
A rank of #2 makes A T Still University Of Health Sciences one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Kirksville, MO, A T Still University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. More on A T Still University Of Health Sciences
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Education program here. See the full Northwestern University profile
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #4 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Located in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,540. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile
Out of the 2376 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Education students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Education students take on a median of $17,334 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Harvard University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Harvard University
University Of West Georgia did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $26,787. Read the full report on University Of West Georgia
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. The median Education program debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
Concordia University Irvine placed #12 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Concordia University Irvine Education students take on a median of $26,085 in debt. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based 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. Typical Education student debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
Centenary College did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hackettstown, NJ. Centenary College graduates 55% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,732 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Get the full Centenary College report
Loyola Marymount University placed #15 among Education schools in the United States. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
New York University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Typical Education student debt is $24,690. Read the full report on New York University
Old Dominion University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Education program here. See the full Old Dominion University profile
University Of St Francis ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. University Of St Francis Education students take on a median of $23,642 in debt. See the full University Of St Francis profile
University Of Delaware came in at #19 in this year's ranking. 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 average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Education student debt is $26,128. Get the full University Of Delaware report
Winona State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $26,772 to complete their Education program here. See the full Winona State University profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #21 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Lehigh University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Education program here. See the full Lehigh University profile
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Education student debt is $19,500. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Gwynedd Mercy College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Gwynedd Valley, PA, Gwynedd Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Gwynedd Mercy College
The Sage Colleges landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,164. The Sage Colleges Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about The Sage Colleges
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Purdue University Main Campus placed #26 among Education schools in the United States. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $20,533. More on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Georgia came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. The median Education program debt is $20,746. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Washington State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Washington State University Education students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. Read more about Washington State University
Towson University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Towson, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Towson University Education students take on a median of $20,933 in debt. See the full Towson University profile
Vanderbilt University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University Education students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read more about Vanderbilt University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Education students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
St Johns University New York landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in Queens, NY, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. St Johns University New York graduates 66% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. The median Education program debt is $25,239. Read more about St Johns University New York
Azusa Pacific University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Azusa, CA. Azusa Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $25,656. Read more about Azusa Pacific University
Wilkes University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Wilkes University Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Wilkes University
University Of Colorado Denver did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. University Of Colorado Denver posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Denver Education students take on a median of $27,936 in debt. More on University Of Colorado Denver
Kennesaw State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical Education student debt is $26,560. Get the full Kennesaw State University report
University Of Southern California landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Education program here. More on University Of Southern California
Columbus State University placed #38 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, GA. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Graduates carry a median of $28,391 in student loans. Get the full Columbus State University report
Creighton University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. The median Education program debt is $25,831. See the full Creighton University profile
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bourbonnais, IL. Olivet Nazarene University graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,994 in student loans. See the full Olivet Nazarene University profile
Drake University placed #41 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. See the full Drake University profile
Northeastern University Global Network came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,688. Graduates carry a median of $27,055 in student loans. More on Northeastern University Global Network
Seattle Pacific University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. About 62% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
University Of California Davis placed #44 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Education program debt is $14,404. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of North Georgia ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Dahlonega, GA, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Georgia
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $25,996. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
California State University San Bernardino landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. California State University San Bernardino Education students take on a median of $12,566 in debt. Read more about California State University San Bernardino
California Lutheran University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Thousand Oaks, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $22,727. Read more about California Lutheran University
New Jersey City University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. New Jersey City University graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. The median Education program debt is $22,107. Read more about New Jersey City University
Gonzaga University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set 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 average $55,480. The median Education program debt is $27,000. More on Gonzaga University
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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