Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 249 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best education schools.
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for education. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 39 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $68,303 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full education program report for Washington University In St Louis
Missouri University Of Science And Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates 64% of students within six years. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 27 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn around $74,532 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Rockhurst University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 41 education students who graduated with this degree at Rockhurst University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Rockhurst University earn around $70,849 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Rockhurst University
University Of Nebraska Medical Center came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Omaha. University Of Nebraska Medical Center awarded about 24 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $85,223 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Medical Center graduates carry a median of $20,905 in student loans.
See the full education program report for University Of Nebraska Medical Center
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 700 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $44,234 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,378.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health placed #6 among the best education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 education students who graduated with this degree at Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $64,158 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,121.
More information about a degree in education from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Drake University landed the #7 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 285 education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $58,094 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in education from Drake University
Clarkson College landed the #8 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 22 education students who graduated with this degree at Clarkson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Clarkson College earn around $77,377 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,052 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Clarkson College
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #9 position for education this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 31 education degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $47,250. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Gustavus Adolphus College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 231 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $54,873. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the education program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Iowa State University landed the #11 spot for education this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 300 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Iowa State University earn around $46,836 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,802 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Iowa State University
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #12 for education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Winona. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 348 education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $76,850. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Hamline University came in at #13 for education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 287 education students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full education details for Hamline University
University Of Iowa placed #14 among the best education schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 325 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Iowa earn around $47,799 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,239.
See the full education program report for University Of Iowa
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #15 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 436 education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $47,649 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,673.
Get the full education details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
St Olaf College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 education students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $47,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from St Olaf College
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #17 position for education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 697 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $43,030. Typical student debt for the program is $18,421.
Read more about the education program at University Of Missouri Columbia
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #18 for education this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City awarded about 26 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $46,660 in their early career. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $7,199 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Bellevue University earned the #19 position for education this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bellevue University awarded about 20 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $68,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,556.
More information about a degree in education from Bellevue University
The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #20 spot for education this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 188 education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $55,366. Students borrow a median of $22,495 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from The College Of Saint Scholastica
Creighton University came in at #21 for education this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Creighton University awarded about 162 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $76,914. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Creighton University
Northwestern College Iowa placed #22 among the best education schools. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 345 education degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $53,611 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,995 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Northwestern College Iowa
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #23 for education this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 129 education students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $47,625. Typical student debt for the program is $25,485.
See the full education program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #24 spot for education this year. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 education students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full education details for Augustana College South Dakota
Kansas State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 673 education students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Kansas State University earn around $45,966 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Kansas State University
Rest of the Top 50 Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for education this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 249 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).
