Top Schools in 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 327 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for top schools in students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Top Schools in School
Where you study top schools in matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Top Schools in Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each 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 Top Schools in Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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Best Schools for Top Schools in in the United States
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 top schools in degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best top schools in schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 21 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full top schools in details for Northwestern University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best top schools in schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 top schools in degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Top Schools In graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
More information about a degree in top schools in from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in top schools in, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 158 top schools in degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
More information about a degree in top schools in from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong top schools in program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 174 top schools in degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their top schools in degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
Get the full top schools in details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong top schools in program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 36 top schools in degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Top Schools In graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
Get the full top schools in details for Duke University
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #6 position for top schools in this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 123 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
Read more about the top schools in program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Dartmouth College came in at #7 for top schools in this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 17 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $81,992 in their early career. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.
Read more about the top schools in program at Dartmouth College
San Jose State University earned the #8 position for top schools in this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 171 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full top schools in program report for San Jose State University
University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best top schools in schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 74 top schools in degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $60,797 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
See the full top schools in program report for University Of California San Diego
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best top schools in schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 122 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the top schools in program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best top schools in schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 470 top schools in degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their top schools in degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
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Rice University earned the #12 position for top schools in this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 52 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $75,299 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in top schools in from Rice University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for top schools in this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 208 top schools in degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
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Carnegie Mellon University placed #14 among the best top schools in schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the top schools in program at Carnegie Mellon University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best top schools in schools. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. About 73% of students finish within six years. New Jersey Institute Of Technology awarded about 209 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,549. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans.
Read more about the top schools in program at New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #16 position for top schools in this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 100 top schools in degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Top Schools In graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree.
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Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for top schools in this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 28 top schools in degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031.
See the full top schools in program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #18 for top schools in this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 23 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $76,298 in their early career. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans.
Get the full top schools in details for Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #19 spot for top schools in this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 69 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $53,543 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
See the full top schools in program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best top schools in schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 28 top schools in degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their top schools in degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,501.
See the full top schools in program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Delaware earned the #21 position for top schools in this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. University Of Delaware awarded about 26 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
Read more about the top schools in program at University Of Delaware
Denison University came in at #22 for top schools in this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their top schools in degree from Denison University earn around $39,797 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree.
See the full top schools in program report for Denison University
Lehigh University placed #23 among the best top schools in schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 10 top schools in degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Top Schools In graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans.
More information about a degree in top schools in from Lehigh University
University Of The Pacific landed the #24 spot for top schools in this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 top schools in students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, top schools in degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in top schools in from University Of The Pacific
Lewis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best top schools in schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Lewis University awarded about 127 top schools in degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the top schools in program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
Get the full top schools in details for Lewis University
Rest of the Top 50 Top Schools in Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s top schools in ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 327 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).
