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2026 Best Teaching Schools

2026 Best Teaching Schools

Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 institutions 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.

To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 4630 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in the United States

Here are the top-ranked schools:

Our analysis found Claremont Graduate University to be the best Teaching school in the United States. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Claremont Graduate University

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Teaching students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern University

A rank of #3 makes Teachers College At Columbia University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University

#4

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, PA

The strong Teaching programs at Lebanon Valley College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Teaching program here. More on Lebanon Valley College

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on this year's Teaching ranking in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full Stanford University report

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #6 among Teaching schools in the United States. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. University Of California Santa Cruz Teaching students take on a median of $18,559 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report

The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The median Teaching program debt is $24,429. Read more about The College Of New Jersey

Washington State University placed #8 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. More on Washington State University

#9

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Teaching program debt is $16,155. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

Delaware County Community College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Delaware County Community College is a public school based in Media, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. The median Teaching program debt is $14,866. Get the full Delaware County Community College report

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $16,151. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report

Middlesex Community College Bedford did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Bedford, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $11,602. Read more about Middlesex Community College Bedford

#13

Hope College

Holland, MI

Hope College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,334. See the full Hope College profile

#14

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. The median Teaching program debt is $20,361. Read more about Western Washington University

#15

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Albemarle, NC, Stanly Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. More on Stanly Community College

#16

Valley City State University

Valley City, ND

Valley City State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. See the full Valley City State University profile

Concordia College At Moorhead did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. The median Teaching program debt is $26,637. See the full Concordia College At Moorhead profile

#18

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Winona State University Teaching students take on a median of $24,551 in debt. Read the full report on Winona State University

#19

Brown University

Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Brown University

Concordia University Irvine came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Concordia University Irvine

Seattle Pacific University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Seattle Pacific University report

#22

Northwestern College Iowa

Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa placed #22 among Teaching schools in the United States. Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit school based in Orange City, IA. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Northwestern College Iowa Teaching students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. Read more about Northwestern College Iowa

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Texas Christian University profile

#24

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical Teaching student debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report

Fresno Pacific University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fresno Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Fresno Pacific University Teaching students take on a median of $24,596 in debt. More on Fresno Pacific University

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

These schools also placed among the very best this year:

#26

University Of Delaware

Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. University Of Delaware Teaching students take on a median of $24,861 in debt. Read more about University Of Delaware

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Teaching program debt is $16,481. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#28

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit school based in De Pere, WI. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Saint Norbert College Teaching students take on a median of $26,578 in debt. See the full Saint Norbert College profile

#29

Seattle University

Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,289. Read the full report on Seattle University

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #30 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile

Texas Lutheran University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seguin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,230. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,510. Read the full report on Texas Lutheran University

#32

Juniata College

Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Juniata College is a private not-for-profit school based in Huntingdon, PA. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,580. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,976. Read the full report on Juniata College

#33

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #33 among Teaching schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report

#34

University Of Scranton

Scranton, PA

University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full University Of Scranton profile

#35

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,599. Read more about Elizabethtown College

#36

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #36 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,110. Graduates carry a median of $26,916 in student loans. Read the full report on Wisconsin Lutheran College

#37

Westminster College Pa

New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College Pa ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit school based in New Wilmington, PA. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Westminster College Pa profile

University Of Puget Sound came in at #38 in this year's ranking. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $25,287. See the full University Of Puget Sound profile

#39

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Central Washington University is a public school based in Ellensburg, WA. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Central Washington University profile

#40

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Drake University Teaching students take on a median of $22,273 in debt. More on Drake University

#41

Stevenson University

Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Graduates carry a median of $27,042 in student loans. Read the full report on Stevenson University

#42

University Of Redlands

Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $27,175. See the full University Of Redlands profile

Saint Marys College Of California placed #43 among Teaching schools in the United States. Set in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,803. Graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California

#44

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. The median Teaching program debt is $25,188. More on Gonzaga University

#45

Wagner College

Staten Island, NY

Wagner College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,200. Graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Read the full report on Wagner College

#45

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Baylor University Teaching students take on a median of $23,928 in debt. More on Baylor University

#47

Towson University

Towson, MD

Towson University placed #47 among Teaching schools in the United States. Towson University is a public school based in Towson, MD. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Towson University profile

University Of California Berkeley landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley

#49

University Of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full University Of Northern Iowa report

#50

Augustana College Illinois

Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rock Island, IL. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Augustana College Illinois Teaching students take on a median of $26,764 in debt. Read more about Augustana College Illinois

Best Teaching Schools by Degree Level

See the best schools at each degree level:

Best Teaching Schools by State

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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 · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.

References

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