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2026 Best Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools

2026 Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools

Looking for the best Teaching bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 4630 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 Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States

Explore the leading schools below:

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Northwestern University

Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The College Of New Jersey landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The median Teaching program debt is $24,429. More on The College Of New Jersey

#3

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Texas Christian University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,960. Get the full Texas Christian University report

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #4 on this year's Teaching ranking in the United States. Set in Tacoma, WA, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Pacific Lutheran University profile

#5

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University came in at #5 on this year's Teaching ranking in the United States. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Read the full report on Gonzaga University

#6

Northwestern College Iowa

Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange City, IA. Northwestern College Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. The median Teaching program debt is $25,415. Read the full report on Northwestern College Iowa

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #7 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Cruz, CA. University Of California Santa Cruz posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. The median Teaching program debt is $18,559. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile

#8

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bellevue University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $27,852. Get the full Bellevue University report

#9

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Annville, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Lebanon Valley College Teaching students take on a median of $26,767 in debt. Read more about Lebanon Valley College

#10

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College placed #10 among Teaching schools in the United States. Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Ithaca College Teaching students take on a median of $24,517 in debt. More on Ithaca College

#11

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical Teaching student debt is $20,361. Get the full Western Washington University report

Washington State University placed #12 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Washington State University Teaching students take on a median of $21,903 in debt. More on Washington State University

#13

Valley City State University

Valley City, ND

Valley City State University placed #13 among Teaching schools in the United States. Set in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Valley City State University Teaching students take on a median of $25,074 in debt. Read more about Valley City State University

#14

Towson University

Towson, MD

Towson University placed #14 among Teaching schools in the United States. Towson University is a public school based in Towson, MD. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Towson University Teaching students take on a median of $21,241 in debt. More on Towson University

#15

University Of Delaware

Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $24,861. More on University Of Delaware

#16

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. The median Teaching program debt is $24,551. Get the full Winona State University report

#17

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University placed #17 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. More on Baylor University

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Teaching student debt is $20,836. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile

#19

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $26,241. Get the full Rider University report

#20

Hope College

Holland, MI

Hope College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. 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

#21

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, MN. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full St Olaf College report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,334. The median Teaching program debt is $23,730. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Teaching students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile

University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #24 among Teaching schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $25,821. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout

Concordia College At Moorhead did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia College At Moorhead posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Read the full report on Concordia College At Moorhead

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

Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:

#26

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Marquette University profile

#27

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University placed #27 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ellensburg, WA. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical Teaching student debt is $21,988. More on Central Washington University

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #28 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $20,778. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile

#29

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gustavus Adolphus College posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Read more about Gustavus Adolphus College

#30

University Of Louisville

Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. University Of Louisville is a public school based in Louisville, KY. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete their Teaching program here. More on University Of Louisville

#31

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Illinois posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical Teaching student debt is $23,292. Read the full report on Wheaton College Illinois

#32

Westminster College Pa

New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College Pa ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,528. More on Westminster College Pa

#33

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University placed #33 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Seton Hall University

University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $21,813. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report

#35

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #35 among Teaching schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical Teaching student debt is $13,975. More on Vanderbilt University

#36

Saint Norbert College

De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in De Pere, WI, Saint Norbert College is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Norbert College posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,580. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,578. Get the full Saint Norbert College report

Fresno Pacific University placed #37 among Teaching schools in the United States. 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%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Fresno Pacific University report

#38

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Drake University Teaching students take on a median of $22,273 in debt. Read the full report on Drake University

Texas Lutheran University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Seguin, TX, Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,510 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Texas Lutheran University

#40

University Of Scranton

Scranton, PA

University Of Scranton came in at #40 in this year's ranking. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. University Of Scranton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about University Of Scranton

#41

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,130. More on Syracuse University

#42

University Of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa

Saint Martins University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lacey, WA. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $22,818. Get the full Saint Martins University report

#44

Juniata College

Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College placed #44 among Teaching schools in the United States. Set in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. Juniata College graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,580. Graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. More on Juniata College

#45

Centenary College

Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hackettstown, NJ, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Centenary College graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Graduates carry a median of $25,081 in student loans. More on Centenary College

#46

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,599. Read the full report on Elizabethtown College

#47

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Salisbury University Teaching students take on a median of $23,545 in debt. Get the full Salisbury University report

#48

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin Lutheran College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,916 in student loans. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Teaching students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report

See rankings for other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

This list is compiled 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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