2026 Best International Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best International Education doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 27 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 International Education Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Teachers College At Columbia University this year in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
The strong International Education programs at Lehigh University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Read the full report on Lehigh University
You'll be in good company at New York University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median International Education program debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
You'll be in good company at Boston College, which ranked #4 this year. See the full Boston College profile
The strong International Education programs at Endicott College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Read the full report on Endicott College
Niagara University did well this year, earning the #6 position. More on Niagara University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Florida International University placed #8 among International Education schools in the United States. More on Florida International University
Faith Evangelical College And Seminary did well this year, earning the #9 position. Get the full Faith Evangelical College And Seminary report
American University placed #10 among International Education schools in the United States. More on American University
Duke University
Duke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. More on Duke University
George Washington University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Get the full George Washington University report
Sam Houston State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. More on Sam Houston State University
Jacksonville University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Jacksonville University report
Kent State University At Kent did well this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
Georgia State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Get the full Georgia State University report
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
Harvard University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. See the full Harvard University profile
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Get the full Suny At Albany report
University Of Kentucky placed #21 among International Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Sit Graduate Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. More on Sit Graduate Institute
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Rest of the Top 15% Best International Education Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best International Education schools. More on Arizona State University Skysong
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Related International Education Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best International Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best International Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best International Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best International Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best International Education Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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