by our College Data Analytics TeamBest is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
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.
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 school for best. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 68 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Arizona State University
University Of Arizona came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $44,518 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of Arizona
Rio Salado College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #3 spot this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. There were roughly 25 best students who graduated with this degree at Rio Salado College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $48,564 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Rio Salado College
Grand Canyon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 173 best students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $63,014 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Grand Canyon University
A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the top schools for best. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 best degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $47,056 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. Read more about the best program at Northern Arizona University
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #6 for best this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 16% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 228 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Phoenix Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Phoenix Arizona earn around $60,204 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates carry a median of $45,656 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Phoenix Arizona
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.