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.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Secondary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Secondary Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Secondary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Secondary Education (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Teaching (MAT) (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Choosing a Great Secondary Education School
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.
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.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/offers.json"
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.
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).