2026 Best Teaching Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Teaching certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 schools 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 reviewed 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 Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Western Washington University, our #1 Teaching school in the United States. Western Washington University is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. See the full Western Washington University profile
Valley City State University came in at #2 on this year's Teaching ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Valley City, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. Get the full Valley City State University report
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanly Community College landed the #3 spot. Located in Albemarle, NC, Stanly Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Read more about Stanly Community College
The strong Teaching programs at College Of Lake County earned it the #4 place in the United States. College Of Lake County is a public school based in Grayslake, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. The median Teaching program debt is $9,785. More on College Of Lake County
You'll be in good company at Washington State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical Teaching student debt is $21,903. More on Washington State University
Santa Fe Community College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $15,267. Read the full report on Santa Fe Community College
Front Range Community College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Front Range Community College is a public school based in Westminster, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. The median Teaching program debt is $17,384. Get the full Front Range Community College report
Rasmussen College Florida placed #8 among Teaching schools in the United States. Rasmussen College Florida is a private for-profit school based in Ocala, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Graduates carry a median of $28,798 in student loans. More on Rasmussen College Florida
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. More on Middlesex Community College Bedford
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Green Bay, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical Teaching student debt is $14,997. Get the full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College report
Madison Area Technical College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Madison, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $16,812. Read the full report on Madison Area Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. The median Teaching program debt is $22,574. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median Teaching program debt is $21,813. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Central Piedmont Community College is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $11,861. See the full Central Piedmont Community College profile
Messiah College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Messiah College posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. The median Teaching program debt is $26,195. Read more about Messiah College
University Of Minnesota Duluth did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Duluth posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Wyoming landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. University Of Wyoming posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wyoming
California University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete their Teaching program here. More on California University Of Pennsylvania
Saint Cloud State University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Saint Cloud State University is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Teaching students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Fox Valley Technical College
University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $21,792. Read more about University Of Georgia
Purdue University Main Campus placed #23 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Kansas State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $23,546. Get the full Kansas State University report
Delaware Technical Community College Terry did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Dover, DE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Clarion University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #26 position. Students borrow a median of $27,364 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Clarion University Of Pennsylvania
Ball State University placed #27 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Ball State University profile
Nhti Concords Community College placed #28 among Teaching schools in the United States. Nhti Concords Community College is a public school based in Concord, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $18,046 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Nhti Concords Community College
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Northern State University placed #30 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Northern State University report
University Of Florida ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical Teaching student debt is $17,669. Get the full University Of Florida report
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Rasmussen College Minnesota Teaching students take on a median of $28,723 in debt. More on Rasmussen College Minnesota
Rasmussen College Illinois ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit school based in Rockford, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,581. Graduates carry a median of $28,798 in student loans. See the full Rasmussen College Illinois profile
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Spokane, WA, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical Teaching student debt is $17,031. Read more about Spokane Falls Community College
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Louisville ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Read more about University Of Louisville
Rowan University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. See the full Rowan University profile
Viterbo University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in La Crosse, WI, Viterbo University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $29,107. Read more about Viterbo University
Bemidji State University placed #39 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Augusta University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. Augusta University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,745. See the full Augusta University profile
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in Springfield, MA, Springfield Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Graduates carry a median of $9,707 in student loans. Read the full report on Springfield Technical Community College
Miami Dade College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Based in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. More on Miami Dade College
American University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, American 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 $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete their Teaching program here. More on American University
Delaware County Community College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Media, PA, Delaware County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Delaware County Community College Teaching students take on a median of $14,866 in debt. Read the full report on Delaware County Community College
Minot State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Minot State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Minot State University Teaching students take on a median of $25,788 in debt. See the full Minot State University profile
Saint Johns River State College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Based in Palatka, FL, Saint Johns River State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $16,293. Get the full Saint Johns River State College report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. The median Teaching program debt is $26,657. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Stevens Point, WI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. The median Teaching program debt is $24,161. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point profile
Eastern Washington University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. The median Teaching program debt is $21,754. Read more about Eastern Washington University
University Of Kentucky landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete their Teaching program here. More on University Of Kentucky
Related Teaching Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Teaching Schools (All Levels)
- Best Teaching Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Teaching Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Teaching Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Teaching Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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
- 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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