by our College Data Analytics TeamBest degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.
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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 best degrees they offer, see the list below.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 171 best degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full best details for San Jose State University
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 74 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. Get the full best details for University Of California San Diego
Students looking for a strong best program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 28 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $45,488 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of The Pacific came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 best degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of The Pacific
Willamette University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Willamette University awarded about 39 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Willamette University earn around $41,892 in the first couple years of their career. Willamette University graduates carry a median of $22,537 in student loans. See the full best program report for Willamette University
University Of Oregon ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 29 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034. Read more about the best program at University Of Oregon
University Of San Diego earned the #7 position for best this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $68,281 in their early career. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of San Diego
Western Washington University came in at #8 for best this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Western Washington University
Portland State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Portland State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 best students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $47,717 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,475. Read more about the best program at Portland State University
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.