2026 Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Teaching master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Claremont Graduate University this year in the United States. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $16,616. Get the full Northwestern University report
A rank of #3 makes Teachers College At Columbia University one of the top choices in the United States. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanford University landed the #4 spot. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical Teaching student debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Santa Clara University landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. The median Teaching program debt is $20,144. Read more about Santa Clara University
Lebanon Valley College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. See the full Lebanon Valley College profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical Teaching student debt is $16,151. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. University Of Pennsylvania Teaching students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Fresno Pacific University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fresno, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Read more about Fresno Pacific University
Concordia University Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. The median Teaching program debt is $26,085. Get the full Concordia University Irvine report
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. 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. Read more about Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Brown University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located 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. Brown University Teaching students take on a median of $13,025 in debt. More on Brown University
Seattle University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Seattle University profile
The College Of New Jersey placed #14 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on The College Of New Jersey
Harvard University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Teaching program debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of California Irvine landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. The median Teaching program debt is $16,539. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Seattle Pacific University placed #17 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,188. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
University Of Puget Sound placed #18 among Teaching schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Students borrow a median of $25,287 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full University Of Puget Sound profile
University Of Redlands did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Redlands, CA, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Redlands posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,878. The median Teaching program debt is $27,175. More on University Of Redlands
Wisconsin Lutheran College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,110. Wisconsin Lutheran College Teaching students take on a median of $26,916 in debt. See the full Wisconsin Lutheran College profile
Drake University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Drake University profile
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,500. More on University Of Scranton
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Stevenson University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Owings Mills, MD. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Stevenson University report
Wagner College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Staten Island, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,997. More on Wagner College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Teaching students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #27 position. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Teaching student debt is $14,238. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete their Teaching program here. More on Saint Marys College Of California
Trinity University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Set in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. The median Teaching program debt is $23,314. See the full Trinity University profile
Berry College placed #30 among Teaching schools in the United States. Based in Mount Berry, GA, Berry College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $41,486 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,797. Read the full report on Berry College
Elizabethtown College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elizabethtown, PA. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,599. More on Elizabethtown College
Lehigh University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Lehigh University Teaching students take on a median of $23,008 in debt. Read more about Lehigh University
Wake Forest University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Teaching program here. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Manhattan College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverdale, NY. Manhattan College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Students borrow a median of $25,968 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Manhattan College
Westminster College Pa placed #35 among Teaching schools in the United States. Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit school based in New Wilmington, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,290. Westminster College Pa Teaching students take on a median of $26,528 in debt. Get the full Westminster College Pa report
Northwestern College Iowa placed #36 among Teaching schools in the United States. Located in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,415. Get the full Northwestern College Iowa report
Vanderbilt University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Vanderbilt University Teaching students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read more about Vanderbilt University
California Lutheran University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. California Lutheran University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. See the full California Lutheran University profile
Washington State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Washington State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Washington State University Teaching students take on a median of $21,903 in debt. Read more about Washington State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Alfred University placed #41 among Teaching schools in the United States. Set in Alfred, NY, Alfred University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alfred University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,706. Read more about Alfred University
Loyola University Baltimore did well this year, earning the #42 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,150. Loyola University Baltimore Teaching students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Loyola University Baltimore report
Gonzaga University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,188. Read the full report on Gonzaga University
North Central College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Typical Teaching student debt is $25,699. Get the full North Central College report
Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,250. The median Teaching program debt is $22,542. Get the full Point Loma Nazarene University report
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #46 among Teaching schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Teaching students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Loyola Marymount University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. More on Loyola Marymount University
University Of St Francis ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in Joliet, IL, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Get the full University Of St Francis report
Whitworth University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Whitworth University graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. More on Whitworth University
Saint Martins University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. See the full Saint Martins University profile
Related Teaching Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Teaching Schools (All Levels)
- Best Teaching Certificate Degree Schools
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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