Secondary Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 693 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best secondary education schools.
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New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best secondary education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of New York University earn a median of $63,357 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $19,455 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for New York University
Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 23 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $66,012 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Secondary Education graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
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Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in secondary education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 14 secondary education degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for secondary education. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Rochester Institute Of Technology earn around $63,515 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491.
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American University landed the #6 spot for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 49 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $63,886 in their early career. American University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for American University
University Of Redlands ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 85 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Redlands earn around $59,996 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175.
More information about a degree in secondary education from University Of Redlands
Washington State University placed #8 among the best secondary education schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 27 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Washington State University earn around $62,589 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Washington State University
Azusa Pacific University earned the #9 position for secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 59 secondary education degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $58,302 in their early career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans.
Get the full secondary education details for Azusa Pacific University
Quinnipiac University earned the #10 position for secondary education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hamden. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Quinnipiac University awarded about 19 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $51,985 early in their careers. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Quinnipiac University
Chapman University landed the #11 spot for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $59,689 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Chapman University
Marist College came in at #12 for secondary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Marist College awarded about 12 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $60,521 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Marist College
Seattle Pacific University earned the #13 position for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 53 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $59,268. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188.
See the full secondary education program report for Seattle Pacific University
Western Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $63,702. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Western Washington University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #15 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 45 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $59,881. Students borrow a median of $20,548 to complete this degree.
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James Madison University placed #16 among the best secondary education schools. 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. About 12 secondary education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree.
Read more about the secondary education program at James Madison University
Loyola University Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 14 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $68,237. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Loyola University Chicago
University Of La Verne earned the #18 position for secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of La Verne awarded about 30 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
Read more about the secondary education program at University Of La Verne
Bard College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 11 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Bard College in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Bard College earn a median of $60,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,402.
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Worcester State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best secondary education schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 11 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Worcester State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Worcester State University
Villanova University earned the #21 position for secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 41 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $55,467 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184.
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Northeastern Illinois University came in at #22 for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 37 secondary education degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $60,664 early in their careers. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University
Arizona State University landed the #23 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,069. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete this degree.
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Temple University came in at #24 for secondary education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 21 secondary education degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $53,648 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Pace University New York landed the #25 spot for secondary education this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pace University New York awarded about 77 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $75,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for Pace University New York
Rest of the Top 50 Secondary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary education ranking:
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).
