by our College Data Analytics TeamBest programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Elon University this year for best. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Elon University awarded about 117 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619. See the full best program report for Elon University
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Get the full best details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the top schools for best. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $42,974 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Kentucky came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Kentucky awarded about 123 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $45,275 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of Kentucky
A rank of #5 makes West Virginia University one of the top schools for best. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 154 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $56,835. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for West Virginia University
Belmont University came in at #6 for best this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. Belmont University awarded about 15 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Belmont University
Troy University placed #7 among the best best schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 best students who graduated with this degree at Troy University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Troy University earn a median of $46,723 early in their careers. Troy University graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Get the full best details for Troy University
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Hammond. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeastern Louisiana University awarded about 26 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $42,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. More information about a degree in best from Southeastern Louisiana University
Western Kentucky University earned the #9 position for best this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $35,534 early in their careers. Western Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Western Kentucky University
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #10 position for best this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Southern Mississippi earn around $52,338 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Southern Mississippi
Regent University came in at #11 for best this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 best students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,406 in their early career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Regent University
Hampton University earned the #12 position for best this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 31 best degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $46,870 in their early career. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Hampton University
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
