College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2021 Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

572 Colleges
94,324 Bachelor's Degrees
$25,958 Avg Cost*

Finding the Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional StudentsIn <nil>, 94,324 education students received their bachelor's degrees, making the major the 10th most popular in the country.

This year's Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking analyzed 572 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs as well as strong support for students classified as non-traditional.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as affordability, and overall quality of the education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Education Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.


 

2021 Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.

Top 25 Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students

1

Valley City State University tops the 2021 list of our schools in the United States that are best for non-traditional education students. Valley City State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Valley City. Valley City State University also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #3.

The student loan default rate at Valley City State University is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. There are approximately 524 students at Valley City State University that take at least one class online. About 860 of the students at Valley City State University are attending part time.

Full Education at Valley City State University Report

2

The College of New Jersey comes in at #2 in this year's ranking. TCNJ is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. TCNJ not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #1 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.8%. There are approximately 1,040 students at TCNJ that take at least one class online. About 570 of the students at TCNJ are attending part time.

Full Education at The College of New Jersey Report

3

Athens State University earned the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the fringe town of Athens, Athens State University is a public school with a small student population.

About 1.9% of Athens State University students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 1,673 of Athens State University students are exclusively distance learners. About 1,626 of the students at Athens State University are attending part time.

Full Education at Athens State University Report

4
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

The #4 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Towson University. Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public school with a large student population. Towson not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #9 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

About 1.7% of Towson students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 6,258 students at Towson that take at least one class online. 4,337 students are part time.

Read More…

5

Our rankings recognize Concordia University, Nebraska as the #5 school in this year's rankings. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University, Nebraska is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Concordia University, Nebraska is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

About 0.9% of Concordia University, Nebraska students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 418 students at Concordia University, Nebraska are exclusively online. 1,494 students are part time.

Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Nebraska

6
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

The #6 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Western Governors University. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.7%. All 150,116 students take classes exclusively online at WGU.

Full Education at Western Governors University Report

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida earned the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings. UF is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. UF also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #4.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.9%. Approximately 22,865 students take at least one class online at UF. 11,205 students are part time.

Read More…

8

Our rankings recognize University of Nevada - Las Vegas as the #8 school in this year's rankings. UNLV is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNLV also is in the top 5% of our Best Colleges for Education ranking.

About 1.5% of UNLV students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 15,438 students take at least one class online at UNLV. There are roughly 8,226 part time students in attendance at UNLV.

Full Education at University of Nevada - Las Vegas Report

9

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus earned the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of University Park, Penn State University Park is a public college with a very large student population. Penn State University Park not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #5 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Penn State University Park is lower than is typical, just 0.0% of students default in three years. All students are part time.

Read full report on Education at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

10

The #10 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public college with a fairly large student population. UMN Twin Cities also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #7.

About 0.6% of UMN Twin Cities students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. There are approximately 21,237 students at UMN Twin Cities that take at least one class online. 13,655 students are part time.

Read More…

11

Wayne State College comes in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in the town of Wayne, WSC is a public college with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, WSC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at WSC is lower than is typical, just 0.4% of students default in three years. There are approximately 1,114 students at WSC that take at least one class online. 1,617 students are part time.

Read More…

12

Chadron State College landed the #12 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the remote town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a public school with a small student population.

About 1.7% of Chadron State College students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 971 of Chadron State College students are exclusively distance learners. 700 students are part time.

Read More…

13

The #13 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Missouri Baptist University. MBU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.2%. Approximately 1,140 students take at least one class online at MBU. About 3,516 of the students at MBU are attending part time.

Read full report on Education at Missouri Baptist University

14

University of Central Florida comes in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public school with a very large student population. UCF excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.3%. There are approximately 28,807 students at UCF that take at least one class online. There are roughly 23,575 part time students in attendance at UCF.

Read full report on Education at University of Central Florida

15
Kean crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University earned the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings. Kean is a large public school located in the large suburb of Union.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 3.1%. There are approximately 1,503 students at Kean that take at least one class online. About 3,314 of the students at Kean are attending part time.

Read More…

16

Central Washington University landed the #16 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the distant town of Ellensburg, CWU is a public school with a medium-sized student population. CWU excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.8%. Approximately 4,411 students take at least one class online at CWU. 1,565 of CWU students are attending part time.

Read full report on Education at Central Washington University

17

Illinois State University landed the #17 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Illinois State is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Illinois State is lower than is typical, just 1.7% of students default in three years. Approximately 7,464 students take at least one class online at Illinois State. There are roughly 2,500 part time students in attendance at Illinois State.

Read full report on Education at Illinois State University

18

Our rankings recognize University of Nebraska at Kearney as the #18 school in this year's rankings. Located in the town of Kearney, UNK is a public school with a medium-sized student population. UNK excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at UNK is lower than is typical, just 0.7% of students default in three years. 2,457 of UNK students are exclusively distance learners. There are roughly 2,176 part time students in attendance at UNK.

Full Education at University of Nebraska at Kearney Report

19

Our rankings recognize Black Hills State University as the #19 school in this year's rankings. Located in the town of Spearfish, BHSU is a public college with a small student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 2.3%. 1,356 students at BHSU are exclusively online. 1,814 students are part time.

Read full report on Education at Black Hills State University

20
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University earned the #20 spot in our 2021 rankings. Rider is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

About 1.3% of Rider students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 672 students take at least one class online at Rider. 898 of Rider students are attending part time.

Read More…

21

Mayville State University earned the #21 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the remote area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a public college with a small student population.

The student loan default rate at Mayville State University is lower than is typical, just 2.0% of students default in three years. 601 students at Mayville State University are exclusively online. There are roughly 550 part time students in attendance at Mayville State University.

Read More…

22
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #22 spot in our 2021 rankings. Trinity Christian is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Palos Heights. Trinity Christian also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 2.2%. There are approximately 443 students at Trinity Christian that take at least one class online. 151 students are part time.

Full Education at Trinity Christian College Report

23

Concordia University, Chicago earned the #23 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

About 0.9% of Concordia University, Chicago students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 4,234 students at Concordia University, Chicago are exclusively online. 4,622 of Concordia University, Chicago students are attending part time.

Full Education at Concordia University, Chicago Report

24
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #24 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the small city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, Lee University also did well on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

The student loan default rate at Lee University is lower than is typical, just 1.2% of students default in three years. 552 of Lee University students are exclusively distance learners. 1,303 of Lee University students are attending part time.

Full Education at Lee University Report

25
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY

The #25 spot in this year's ranking belongs to SUNY Cortland. Located in the town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. SUNY Cortland also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

The student loan default rate at SUNY Cortland is lower than is typical, just 1.4% of students default in three years. Approximately 1,737 students take at least one class online at SUNY Cortland. 593 of SUNY Cortland students are attending part time.

Full Education at SUNY Cortland Report

Rest of the Top 50 Schools for Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

26
27
SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
28
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
36
37
Morningside crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA
38
39
40
41

42

43
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

 

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 572 different United States education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
52 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
53 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
54 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
55 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
56 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
57 National Louis University Chicago, IL
58 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
59 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
60 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
61 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
62 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
63 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
64 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
65 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
66 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
67 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
68 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
69 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
70 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
71 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
72 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
73 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
74 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
75 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
76 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
77 University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD
78 Auburn University Auburn, AL
79 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
80 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
81 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS
82 DePaul University Chicago, IL
83 Harding University Searcy, AR
84 SUNY Potsdam Potsdam, NY
85 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for non-traditional students studying Education that almost earned our Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students award.

Rank College Location
86 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
87 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
88 New York University New York, NY
89 Edgewood College Madison, WI
90 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
91 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
92 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
93 Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TN
94 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
95 Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
96 The College of Saint Rose Albany, NY
97 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
98 Minot State University Minot, ND
99 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
100 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
101 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
102 Newman University Wichita, KS
103 Mount St Mary’s University Emmitsburg, MD
104 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
105 Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD
106 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
107 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
108 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
109 William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS
110 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
111 Boston University Boston, MA
112 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
113 Dakota State University Madison, SD
114 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT

Education by Region

View the best for non-traditional students Education colleges in a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options