2026 Best Education Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Education master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2376 schools 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 reviewed 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Claremont Graduate University to be the best Education school in the United States. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
A rank of #2 makes Bank Street College Of Education one of the top choices in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Bank Street College Of Education is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Bank Street College Of Education
You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
A rank of #4 makes Teachers College At Columbia University one of the top choices in the United States. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
Stanford University came in at #5 on this year's Education ranking in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Stanford University report
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Education program here. Read more about Santa Clara University
Lebanon Valley College placed #7 among Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Annville, PA. Lebanon Valley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,080. Lebanon Valley College Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Lebanon Valley College report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $15,729. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Education program here. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Fresno Pacific University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fresno Pacific University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Education program here. See the full Fresno Pacific University profile
Concordia University Irvine did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,480. The median Education program debt is $26,085. More on Concordia University Irvine
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Typical Education student debt is $25,000. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Brown University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Brown University Education students take on a median of $13,025 in debt. Get the full Brown University report
Seattle University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical Education student debt is $22,289. Read the full report on Seattle University
The College Of New Jersey placed #15 among Education schools in the United States. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. The median Education program debt is $25,793. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
Harvard University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Harvard University
University Of California Irvine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Seattle Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Seattle Pacific University Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University
University Of Puget Sound did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. University Of Puget Sound Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
University Of Redlands ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Set in Redlands, CA, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Redlands posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,878. Typical Education student debt is $27,175. Get the full University Of Redlands report
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,110. Wisconsin Lutheran College Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Wisconsin Lutheran College
Drake University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Drake University
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. University Of Scranton Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Scranton
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Education students take on a median of $17,334 in debt. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Stevenson University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevenson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Graduates carry a median of $26,887 in student loans. See the full Stevenson University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Education Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Wagner College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $26,997. Read more about Wagner College
Johns Hopkins University placed #27 among Education schools in the United States. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Education students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #28 in this year's ranking. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Education student debt is $14,238. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moraga, CA. Saint Marys College Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,803. Saint Marys College Of California Education students take on a median of $25,041 in debt. Read more about Saint Marys College Of California
Trinity University placed #30 among Education schools in the United States. Based in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,676. Students borrow a median of $23,314 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Trinity University report
Berry College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Berry College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mount Berry, GA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,486. Berry College Education students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. See the full Berry College profile
Elizabethtown College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Based in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Typical Education student debt is $27,000. Get the full Elizabethtown College report
Lehigh University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Lehigh University Education students take on a median of $23,008 in debt. See the full Lehigh University profile
Wake Forest University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. The median Education program debt is $21,577. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Manhattan College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. The median Education program debt is $26,582. Get the full Manhattan College report
Westminster College Pa placed #36 among Education schools in the United States. Located 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 run about $40,290. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Get the full Westminster College Pa report
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set 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. Northwestern College Iowa Education students take on a median of $25,995 in debt. Get the full Northwestern College Iowa report
Vanderbilt University placed #38 among Education schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. The median Education program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
California Lutheran University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. California Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. California Lutheran University Education students take on a median of $22,727 in debt. More on California Lutheran University
Washington State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Education schools. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. The median Education program debt is $22,960. Read the full report on Washington State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $18,090 in student loans. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Alfred University placed #42 among Education schools in the United States. Set in Alfred, NY, Alfred University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alfred University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. The median Education program debt is $22,020. Read the full report on Alfred University
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Loyola University Baltimore
Gonzaga University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. The median Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Gonzaga University
North Central College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. North Central College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,726. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Education program here. See the full North Central College profile
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Typical Education student debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Education program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Loyola Marymount University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. 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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Education program here. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
University Of St Francis placed #49 among Education schools in the United States. Located 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Graduates carry a median of $23,642 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Francis
Whitworth University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Whitworth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Whitworth 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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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