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2023 Best Teaching Schools

958 Schools Ranked
$42,485 Average Earnings
$22,242 Avg Student Debt

Today's teaching students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Teaching Schools ranking. This report analyzed 958 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for teaching students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Teaching Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
$56,648 Average Earnings

Our analysis found Claremont Graduate University to be the best school for teaching students in the United States.

During the early years of their career, Claremont Graduate University graduates make an average of $56,648 annually.

Read More…

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
$69,538 Average Earnings
$19,000 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Northwestern University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best teaching schools in the United States.

On average, students take out $19,000 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $576. During the early years of their career, Northwestern graduates make an average of $69,538 annually.

Full Northwestern University Report

$62,754 Average Earnings

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Teachers College at Columbia University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Teaching Schools list.

Once they receive their degree, Teachers College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,754 during the early year of their career.

Full Teachers College at Columbia University Report

#4

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, Pennsylvania
$43,651 Average Earnings
$24,080 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lebanon Valley College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Teaching Schools list.

Degree recipients from LVC accumulate an average of $24,080 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $330 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from LVC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,651 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Lebanon Valley College

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
$83,159 Average Earnings
$13,926 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools list.

On average, students take out $13,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Stanford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,159 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#6

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
$35,777 Average Earnings
$18,900 Avg Student Debt

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #6 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools list.

Degree recipients from UC Santa Cruz accumulate an average of $18,900 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285. During the early years of their career, UC Santa Cruz graduates make an average of $35,777 annually.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Report

#7

The College of New Jersey

Ewing, New Jersey
$48,225 Average Earnings
$22,132 Avg Student Debt

The College of New Jersey came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools ranking.

On average, students take out $22,132 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $327, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, TCNJ graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,225 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on The College of New Jersey

#8

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
$49,774 Average Earnings
$22,489 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Washington State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

On average, students take out $22,489 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $49,774 annually.

Read More…

#9

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$81,207 Average Earnings
$17,262 Avg Student Debt

University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #9 on the list.

On average, students take out $17,262 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $547, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UPenn, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $81,207 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Pennsylvania Report

#10

Delaware County Community College

Media, Pennsylvania
$34,347 Average Earnings
$18,773 Avg Student Debt

Delaware County Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $18,773 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Delaware County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,347 during the early year of their career.

Full Delaware County Community College Report

$52,004 Average Earnings
$18,619 Avg Student Debt

University of Washington - Tacoma Campus landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $18,619 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $258, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Tacoma graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,004 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#12

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
$42,511 Average Earnings
$12,965 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #12 on the list.

On average, students take out $12,965 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Middlesex Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,511 during the early years of their career.

Full Middlesex Community College Report

#13

Hope College

Holland, Michigan
$35,540 Average Earnings
$22,982 Avg Student Debt

Hope College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools list.

On average, students take out $22,982 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $821, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Hope graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,540 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#14

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
$36,481 Average Earnings
$20,477 Avg Student Debt

Western Washington University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Degree recipients from WWU accumulate an average of $20,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $259 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WWU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,481 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#15

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, North Carolina
$40,419 Average Earnings
$11,203 Avg Student Debt

Stanly Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,203 in student loans.After graduating from Stanly Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,419 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Stanly Community College

#16

Valley City State University

Valley City, North Dakota
$39,881 Average Earnings
$22,578 Avg Student Debt

Valley City State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,578 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Valley City State University graduates make an average of $39,881 annually.

Read full report on Valley City State University

#17

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota
$34,477 Average Earnings
$22,901 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Concordia College at Moorhead did quite well on this year’s best schools for teaching students working.

Degree recipients from Concordia College Moorhead accumulate an average of $22,901 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Concordia College Moorhead, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,477 during the early years of their career.

Full Concordia College at Moorhead Report

#18

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
$44,424 Average Earnings
$26,110 Avg Student Debt

Winona State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,110 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $176.After graduating from Winona State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,424 during the early years of their career.

Full Winona State University Report

#19

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
$50,925 Average Earnings
$14,769 Avg Student Debt

Brown University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,769 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $507 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Brown graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,925 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#20

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
$48,407 Average Earnings
$24,323 Avg Student Debt

Concordia University, Irvine did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,323 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $600, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Irvine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,407 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#21

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
$49,703 Average Earnings
$23,778 Avg Student Debt

Seattle Pacific University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

On average, students take out $23,778 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $394, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SPU graduates make an average of $49,703 annually.

Full Seattle Pacific University Report

#22

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$42,021 Average Earnings

Northwestern College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best teaching programs.

Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
$54,873 Average Earnings
$21,581 Avg Student Debt

Texas Christian University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for teaching students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from TCU accumulate an average of $21,581 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $664.After graduating from TCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,873 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#24

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
$78,371 Average Earnings
$26,098 Avg Student Debt

Harvard University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Teaching Schools list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,098 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Harvard graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $78,371 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#25

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, California
$50,730 Average Earnings
$26,029 Avg Student Debt

Fresno Pacific University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Teaching Schools ranking.

Degree recipients from Fresno Pacific accumulate an average of $26,029 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $215 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Fresno Pacific graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,730 during the early year of their career.

Full Fresno Pacific University Report

Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Schools in the United States

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
#28

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, Wisconsin
#29

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
#30

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#31

Texas Lutheran University

Seguin, Texas
#32

Juniata College

Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
#33

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#34

University of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#35

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
#36

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#37

Westminster College Pennsylvania

New Wilmington, Pennsylvania
#38

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington
#39

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington
#40

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#41

Stevenson University

Stevenson, Maryland
#42

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#43

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, California
#44

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
#45

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#45

Wagner College

Staten Island, New York
#47

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
#48

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#49

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#50

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Rest of the Top 15% Best Teaching Schools in the United States

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

Rank School Location
51 Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
52 Rasmussen University - Florida Ocala, FL
53 Trinity University San Antonio, TX
54 Saint Martin’s University Lacey, WA
55 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
56 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
57 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
58 University of Jamestown Jamestown, ND
59 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
60 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
61 Dakota State University Madison, SD
62 Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE
63 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
64 Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NM
65 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
66 Wartburg College Waverly, IA
67 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
68 The College of Saint Rose Albany, NY
69 Front Range Community College Westminster, CO
70 California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
71 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
72 Saint Edward’s University Austin, TX
73 Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD
74 Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ
75 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
76 University of St Francis Joliet, IL
77 Illinois State University Normal, IL
78 Manhattan College Riverdale, NY
79 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
80 North Central College Naperville, IL
81 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD
82 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
83 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
84 New York University New York, NY
85 Iowa State University Ames, IA
86 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
87 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
88 Essex County College Newark, NJ
89 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
90 York College of Pennsylvania York, PA
91 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
92 Whitworth University Spokane, WA
93 University of Georgia Athens, GA
94 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
95 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
96 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
97 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
98 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
99 Berry College Mount Berry, GA
100 Hood College Frederick, MD
101 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
102 Creighton University Omaha, NE
103 Nevada State College Henderson, NV
104 Saint Joseph’s University Philadelphia, PA
105 Carthage College Kenosha, WI
106 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
107 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
108 Northern State University Aberdeen, SD
109 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
110 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
111 Villanova University Villanova, PA
112 NHTI-Concord’s Community College Concord, NH
113 Augusta University Augusta, GA
114 George Washington University Washington, DC
115 Bradley University Peoria, IL
116 University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI
117 Huntington University Huntington, IN
118 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
119 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
120 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
121 Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA
122 University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI
123 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
124 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
125 Carroll University Waukesha, WI
126 Alma College Alma, MI
127 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
128 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
129 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
130 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
131 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN
132 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI
133 Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, CA
133 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
135 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
136 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
137 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
138 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
139 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
140 Minot State University Minot, ND
141 Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL
142 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
143 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
144 Alfred University Alfred, NY

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best teaching schools ranking:

Rank School Location
145 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
146 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
147 Dickinson State University Dickinson, ND
148 Ball State University Muncie, IN
149 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
150 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
151 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
152 Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, PA
153 Lewis University Romeoville, IL
154 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
155 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
156 Mayville State University Mayville, ND
157 Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WA
158 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
159 Chadron State College Chadron, NE
160 Kean University Union, NJ
161 St John’s University - New York Queens, NY
162 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
163 Midland University Fremont, NE
164 Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT
165 Pace University - New York New York, NY
166 Simpson College Indianola, IA
167 Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
168 Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA
169 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
170 American University Washington, DC
171 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
172 Piedmont College Demorest, GA
173 Loras College Dubuque, IA
174 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
175 Wayne State College Wayne, NE
176 Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL
177 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
178 McDaniel College Westminster, MD
179 Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN
180 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
181 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
182 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
183 University of the Pacific Stockton, CA
184 Dominican University River Forest, IL
185 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
186 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
187 Providence College Providence, RI
188 Aurora University Aurora, IL
189 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
190 National University La Jolla, CA
191 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
192 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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