2026 Best Outdoor Education Schools
Looking for the best Outdoor Education programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 55 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Outdoor Education Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato Outdoor Education students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
You'll be in good company at Weber State University, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Ogden, UT. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Read more about Weber State University
Central Michigan University came in at #4 on this year's Outdoor Education ranking in the United States. Set in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Central Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $27,857. More on Central Michigan University
The strong Outdoor Education programs at Suny College At Cortland earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $25,369. Get the full Suny College At Cortland report
The University Of Montana ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Montana report
Brevard College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Brevard, NC, Brevard College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,280. Graduates carry a median of $26,667 in student loans. See the full Brevard College profile
Plymouth State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Plymouth, NH, Plymouth State University is a public institution. Plymouth State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Read the full report on Plymouth State University
Murray State University placed #9 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Located in Murray, KY, Murray State University is a public institution. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Read more about Murray State University
Liberty University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Get the full Liberty University report
Black Hills State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Black Hills State University is a public school based in Spearfish, SD. About 43% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Get the full Black Hills State University report
Fort Lewis College placed #12 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Fort Lewis College is a public school based in Durango, CO. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. The median Outdoor Education program debt is $18,888. Read more about Fort Lewis College
College Of Southern Idaho placed #12 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on College Of Southern Idaho
Montreat College
Montreat College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. More on Montreat College
Sterling College Vermont landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Sterling College Vermont
Warren Wilson College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Warren Wilson College
Central Oregon Community College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Central Oregon Community College
Northwest Nazarene University placed #17 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. See the full Northwest Nazarene University profile
Greenfield Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. See the full Greenfield Community College profile
Rogue Community College placed #19 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Rogue Community College
Toccoa Falls College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. See the full Toccoa Falls College profile
Asbury University did well this year, earning the #21 position. More on Asbury University
Snow College
Snow College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. More on Snow College
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #23 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Suny College Of Technology At Delhi
Adirondack Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Read the full report on Adirondack Community College
Lees Mcrae College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. See the full Lees Mcrae College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Outdoor Education Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Hampshire College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Hampshire College
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. See the full Western Wyoming Community College profile
Alaska Pacific University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Alaska Pacific University
Westminster College Utah came in at #29 in this year's ranking. See the full Westminster College Utah profile
Young Harris College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Read more about Young Harris College
Vermont Technical College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Vermont Technical College
Gordon College
Gordon College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Gordon College
North Idaho College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. More on North Idaho College
Missouri State University Springfield placed #34 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Winona State University placed #35 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Winona State University
Gratz College
Gratz College placed #36 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Get the full Gratz College report
Mt Hood Community College placed #37 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. See the full Mt Hood Community College profile
Prescott College
Prescott College placed #38 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Get the full Prescott College report
Temple University placed #39 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Temple University
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Northland College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Northland College
Pacific University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pacific University
New England College placed #43 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on New England College
Northern Arizona University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
Western Carolina University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Western Carolina University
Red Rocks Community College placed #46 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Red Rocks Community College
Salisbury University did well this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Salisbury University profile
Unity College
Unity College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Unity College
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Southwestern Community College Sylva
Colorado Christian University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Colorado Christian University
Best Outdoor Education Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Outdoor Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Outdoor 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 55 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.