by our College Data Analytics TeamEducation programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their education programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 595 schools to find the best for education students.
What’s on this page:
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 education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 79 education degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $55,608 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. See the full education program report for Duke University
James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 524 education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $55,866 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. See the full education program report for James Madison University
University Of Miami is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 136 education degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Miami earn around $57,234 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at University Of Miami
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 924 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $60,141 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the education program at George Mason University
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Elon University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 education students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,095 in their early career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Elon University
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 871 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $61,709. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $20,746 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from University Of Georgia
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for education this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 248 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $42,584 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,640. Read more about the education program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Edison State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Edison State College awarded about 77 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $51,448 in their early career. Edison State College graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Get the full education details for Edison State College
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 831 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $52,085. Typical student debt for the program is $15,608. More information about a degree in education from University Of Florida
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 24 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Tulane University Of Louisiana
Furman University placed #11 among the best education schools. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. About 79% of students finish within six years. Furman University awarded about 58 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Furman University earn around $36,520 in the first couple years of their career. Furman University graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Furman University
Indian River State College placed #12 among the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. About 72 education degrees were awarded at Indian River State College in the most recent year. Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Indian River State College
High Point University came in at #13 for education this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. High Point University awarded about 214 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from High Point University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #14 spot for education this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 431 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $60,179 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Get the full education details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Vanderbilt University placed #15 among the best education schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 308 education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $68,272 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full education details for Vanderbilt University
University Of Florida Online earned the #16 position for education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Florida Online awarded about 46 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,779. See the full education program report for University Of Florida Online
Miami Dade College came in at #17 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Miami. Miami Dade College awarded about 144 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Miami Dade College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #18 position for education this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 253 education students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $70,234 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. See the full education program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
College Of William And Mary came in at #19 for education this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 268 education degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $75,985 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. More information about a degree in education from College Of William And Mary
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #20 position for education this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 516 education degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $52,979. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $24,582 in student loans. Get the full education details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #21 position for education this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 544 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,449 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus
Florida State University came in at #22 for education this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 709 education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,749. Typical student debt for the program is $22,220. See the full education program report for Florida State University
University Of Central Florida placed #23 among the best education schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 1,080 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,406 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,466. Get the full education details for University Of Central Florida
Roanoke College earned the #24 position for education this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 education students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $33,725 in their early career. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Read more about the education program at Roanoke College
Auburn University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 538 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $57,477 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,243 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Auburn University
These schools also placed among the best for education this year:
These schools also earned a top-quality badge for education this year:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #55 | Samford University | Birmingham, AL |
| #58 | University Of Kentucky | Lexington, KY |
| #67 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA |
| #68 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA |
| #73 | University Of North Alabama | Florence, AL |
| #76 | University Of West Georgia | Carrollton, GA |
| #90 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA |
| #94 | Troy University | Troy, AL |
| #99 | Freed Hardeman University | Henderson, TN |
| #115 | The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN |
| #124 | Rasmussen College Florida | Ocala, FL |
| #128 | University Of Louisiana Lafayette | Lafayette, LA |
| #135 | College Of Charleston | Charleston, SC |
| #147 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA |
| #157 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA |
| #175 | Harding University | Searcy, AR |
| #182 | Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green, KY |
| #248 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
Also worth considering for education:
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 · 595 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
