Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2376 schools to find the best for education students.
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in education. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 730 education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $68,527 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Texas A And M University College Station
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 354 education degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $107,100 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 430 education degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $60,254. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
See the full education program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 291 education degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,685 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from The University Of Texas At Austin
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 540 education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
See the full education program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 260 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $58,304. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot for education this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 279 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $62,895 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of Maryland College Park
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 284 education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $82,272 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at California State University Long Beach
Southern Methodist University earned the #9 position for education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 169 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $90,359 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
More information about a degree in education from Southern Methodist University
James Madison University earned the #10 position for education this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 521 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $55,840. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218.
Read more about the education program at James Madison University
California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 621 education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,099 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from California State University Northridge
University Of California San Diego came in at #12 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 60 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $91,736 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #13 spot for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 370 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $51,280 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $17,080 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for education this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 655 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $37,805. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,378 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 344 education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $47,510 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
California State University Chico came in at #16 for education this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 119 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from California State University Chico earn around $24,450 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $21,429 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from California State University Chico
San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for education this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 517 education degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the education program at San Jose State University
New York University placed #18 among the best education schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 567 education students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $45,434. Typical student debt for the program is $24,690.
See the full education program report for New York University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 451 education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,940 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $25,918 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #20 for education this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 150 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $56,969 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Miami came in at #21 for education this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 134 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Miami
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 215 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $49,305 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,335.
See the full education program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 384 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $45,195 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,533.
Read more about the education program at Purdue University Main Campus
Florida State University earned the #24 position for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 669 education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $52,119 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $22,220 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Florida State University
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for education this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 701 education degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Texas Tech University earn around $56,594 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271.
Read more about the education program at Texas Tech University
Rest of the Top 50 Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong education education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 2376 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
