2026 Best Outdoor Education Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Outdoor Education certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 55 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 produce 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Black Hills State University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Black Hills State University graduates 43% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Read the full report on Black Hills State University
You'll be in good company at East Tennessee State University, which ranked #2 this year. More on East Tennessee State University
You'll be in good company at College Of Southern Idaho, which ranked #3 this year. Get the full College Of Southern Idaho report
Out of the 55 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Montreat College landed the #4 spot. Get the full Montreat College report
The strong Outdoor Education programs at University Of Alaska Anchorage earned it the #5 place in the United States. More on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Mt Hood Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Mt Hood Community College report
Gordon College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. More on Gordon College
Pacific University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Pacific University report
Unity College placed #9 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Unity College
Colorado Christian University placed #10 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. See the full Colorado Christian University profile
Salisbury University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. More on Salisbury University
Warren Wilson College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Warren Wilson College
Gratz College
Gratz College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Gratz College report
Plymouth State University did well this year, earning the #14 position. See the full Plymouth State University profile
Vermont Technical College did well this year, earning the #15 position. More on Vermont Technical College
Central Michigan University placed #16 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Central Michigan University
Red Rocks Community College placed #17 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Red Rocks Community College
Winona State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Winona State University
North Idaho College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. See the full North Idaho College profile
Northland College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. See the full Northland College profile
The University Of Montana did well this year, earning the #21 position. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
Asbury University placed #22 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Asbury University
Temple University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Temple University
Rogue Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Rogue Community College profile
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Rest of the Top 50 Best Outdoor Education Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
John Brown University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. See the full John Brown University profile
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Brevard College
Brevard College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Read more about Brevard College
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #29 in this year's ranking. See the full Suny College Of Technology At Delhi profile
Greenfield Community College placed #30 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Greenfield Community College
Elon University
Elon University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Elon University
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Western Wyoming Community College
Hampshire College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Get the full Hampshire College report
Fort Lewis College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. See the full Fort Lewis College profile
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #35 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Virginia Commonwealth University
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Northwest Nazarene University report
Sterling College Vermont ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Sterling College Vermont
Westminster College Utah placed #38 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Westminster College Utah
Prescott College
Prescott College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Get the full Prescott College report
Young Harris College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. More on Young Harris College
Alaska Pacific University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read the full report on Alaska Pacific University
Murray State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. See the full Murray State University profile
Suny College At Cortland landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. See the full Suny College At Cortland profile
Western Carolina University did well this year, earning the #44 position. More on Western Carolina University
Central Oregon Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Outdoor Education schools. Read the full report on Central Oregon Community College
Liberty University placed #46 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Liberty University
Southwestern Community College Sylva did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Southwestern Community College Sylva report
Snow College
Snow College placed #48 among Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Snow College
Weber State University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Weber State University
New England College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about New England College
Related Outdoor Education Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Outdoor Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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
This list is compiled 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.