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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Secondary Education Schools

275 Colleges in the United States
8,558 Secondary Education Degrees Awarded
$46,596 Avg Early-Career Salary

Secondary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their secondary education programs.

College Factual analyzed 693 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best secondary education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Secondary Education School

Best Secondary Education Schools

The secondary education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Secondary Education rankings. For our Best Overall Secondary Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Secondary Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Secondary Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Secondary Education
Master's Degrees in Secondary Education
Doctoral Degrees in Secondary Education

We offer several rankings, including this Best Secondary Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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Best Schools for Secondary Education in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall secondary education education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Secondary Education

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best secondary 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 126 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $54,901 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,455 to complete this degree. See the full secondary education program report for New York University

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in secondary education, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 99 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in secondary education from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for secondary education. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 17 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $53,054 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Maryland College Park

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 12 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. More information about a degree in secondary education from James Madison University

5
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rice University awarded about 11 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. Get the full secondary education details for Rice University

6

Collin County Community College District earned the #6 position for secondary education this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. About 46 secondary education degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $42,177 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from Collin County Community College District

7

University Of Rochester earned the #7 position for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Rochester

8

Northwestern University came in at #8 for secondary education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 secondary education degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from Northwestern University

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among the best secondary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,522. Typical student debt for the program is $16,335. See the full secondary education program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

10

Arizona State University placed #10 among the best secondary education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 214 secondary education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,402 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,375. Read more about the secondary education program at Arizona State University

11

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for secondary education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 31 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree. Read more about the secondary education program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

12

University Of Rhode Island landed the #12 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $44,363. Typical student debt for the program is $24,026. Get the full secondary education details for University Of Rhode Island

13

Washington State University earned the #13 position for secondary education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 secondary education degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Washington State University earn around $54,794 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete this degree. See the full secondary education program report for Washington State University

14
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College earned the #14 position for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 20 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $53,208 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree. See the full secondary education program report for Providence College

15
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 49 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from American University earn around $59,756 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from American University

16

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 22 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the secondary education program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

17

University Of Redlands placed #17 among the best secondary education schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Redlands in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $59,996 in their early career. University Of Redlands graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Redlands

18

Seattle Pacific University landed the #18 spot for secondary education this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 53 secondary education degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $59,268 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from Seattle Pacific University

19

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #19 for secondary education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 45 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn around $55,555 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $20,548 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa

20

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #20 position for secondary education this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 42 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $49,947 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at Indiana University Bloomington

21

Tarrant County College District earned the #21 position for secondary education this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 26 secondary education degrees were awarded at Tarrant County College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $24,507 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in secondary education from Tarrant County College District

22

University Of Central Florida placed #22 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 96 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $50,686 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full secondary education details for University Of Central Florida

23

Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 29 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $61,945 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at Loyola University Chicago

24

Azusa Pacific University came in at #24 for secondary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 59 secondary education degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. See the full secondary education program report for Azusa Pacific University

25

The College Of New Jersey placed #25 among the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 28 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $58,526 in their early career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the secondary education program at The College Of New Jersey

Rest of the Top 50 Secondary Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong secondary education education:

26
27
28
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
30
31
32
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
33
34
35
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
36
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
37
38
39
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
40
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
50
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Additional Secondary Education Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for secondary education this year:

Rank School Location
#57 University Of Dayton Dayton, OH
#62 University Of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
#65 Auburn University Auburn, AL
#67 Worcester State University Worcester, MA
#68 University Of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
#69 The University Of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
#72 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
#73 Clemson University Clemson, SC
#75 Oklahoma State University Main Campus Stillwater, OK
#77 Ball State University Muncie, IN
#78 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
#96 University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
#103 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
#115 Ohio University Main Campus Athens, OH
#117 University Of South Carolina Columbia Columbia, SC
#121 University Of Louisiana Lafayette Lafayette, LA
#126 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
#135 University Of Kentucky Lexington, KY
#163 University Of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
#190 Concordia University Seward Seward, NE
#191 National Louis University Chicago, IL
#200 Marshall University Huntington, WV
#205 Missouri State University Springfield Springfield, MO
#207 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
#239 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for secondary education:

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Secondary Education by Region

View the Best Secondary Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Secondary Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 693 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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