2026 Best Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2376 schools 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 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Bank Street College Of Education earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. More on Bank Street College Of Education
The strong Education programs at Claremont Graduate University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
You'll be in good company at Lebanon Valley College, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,080. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Read more about Lebanon Valley College
A rank of #4 makes Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Education program debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Northwestern University
The College Of New Jersey came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located 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%. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Education students take on a median of $25,793 in debt. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Washington State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Washington State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Washington State University report
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Wisconsin Lutheran College
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Education students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Seattle Pacific University placed #11 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Typical Education student debt is $25,000. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Valley City State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical Education student debt is $24,586. See the full Valley City State University profile
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. The median Education program debt is $15,854. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Hood College placed #16 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Frederick, MD, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $47,700 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $17,125. Get the full Hood College report
Towson University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical Education student debt is $20,933. Read more about Towson University
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #18 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Loyola Marymount University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Education program here. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Western Washington University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Western Washington University Education students take on a median of $26,092 in debt. Read more about Western Washington University
Augusta University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Augusta University is a public school based in Augusta, GA. Augusta University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. The median Education program debt is $26,398. Get the full Augusta University report
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange City, IA. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,995 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Northwestern College Iowa
Saint Marys College Of California placed #23 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Saint Marys College Of California Education students take on a median of $25,041 in debt. See the full Saint Marys College Of California profile
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,226. The median Education program debt is $22,698. See the full Bethel University Minnesota profile
Ball State University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. About 62% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Ball State University Education students take on a median of $24,675 in debt. Read more about Ball State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Education student debt is $14,238. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of St Francis landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. University Of St Francis Education students take on a median of $23,642 in debt. See the full University Of St Francis profile
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bourbonnais, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical Education student debt is $26,994. More on Olivet Nazarene University
University Of Florida placed #30 among Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $15,608. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #31 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $21,331. Get the full University Of Maryland Baltimore County report
Teachers College At Columbia University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. More on Teachers College At Columbia University
Duke University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Duke University Education students take on a median of $8,000 in debt. Read the full report on Duke University
Saint Martins University placed #34 among Education schools in the United States. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Martins University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. The median Education program debt is $22,818. Read more about Saint Martins University
Minot State University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Minot, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Minot State University Education students take on a median of $28,025 in debt. Get the full Minot State University report
George Washington University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Education program debt is $22,910. Read the full report on George Washington University
University Of California Irvine landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete their Education program here. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Winona State University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,772 in student loans. Get the full Winona State University report
Messiah College placed #39 among Education schools in the United States. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mechanicsburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Typical Education student debt is $26,997. Get the full Messiah College report
Tufts University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. The median Education program debt is $17,074. Get the full Tufts University report
University Of Georgia ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Education students take on a median of $20,746 in debt. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Mayville State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Mayville State University Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Mayville State University profile
Indiana University Bloomington placed #43 among Education schools in the United States. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Education student debt is $20,658. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Education program debt is $20,031. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of North Georgia did well this year, earning the #45 position. University Of North Georgia is a public school based in Dahlonega, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Education program here. See the full University Of North Georgia profile
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #46 among Education schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school based in Eau Claire, WI. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Rowan University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. 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. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. More on Rowan University
New York University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,690 to complete their Education program here. More on New York University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Education students take on a median of $20,533 in debt. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
California State University Sacramento came in at #50 in this year's ranking. California State University Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Graduates carry a median of $27,992 in student loans. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Illinois State University came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,372 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Illinois State University
Related Education Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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