Secondary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 240 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best secondary education schools.
Where you study secondary education matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Secondary Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Secondary Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Secondary Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Secondary Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University this year for secondary education. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 21 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong secondary education program will find one at New York University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 86 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from New York University earn around $54,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,455 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for New York University
University Of Maryland College Park is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 27 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $53,054 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 16 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for University Of Colorado Boulder
A rank of #5 makes Collin County Community College District one of the top schools for secondary education. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. About 24 secondary education degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,125.
Read more about the secondary education program at Collin County Community College District
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for secondary education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 28 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $45,522 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans.
Get the full secondary education details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 29 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $50,383 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University came in at #8 for secondary education this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Northwestern University
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $63,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree.
Read more about the secondary education program at Rochester Institute Of Technology
University Of Rhode Island came in at #10 for secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 30 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $44,363 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $24,026 in student loans.
Read more about the secondary education program at University Of Rhode Island
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #11 for secondary education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 53 secondary education degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $49,947 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741.
Get the full secondary education details for Indiana University Bloomington
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 194 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Arizona State University earn around $49,402 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Arizona State University
Providence College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 18 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Secondary Education graduates of Providence College earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree.
See the full secondary education program report for Providence College
Washington State University earned the #14 position for secondary education this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 37 secondary education degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $54,794 in their early career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Washington State University
Marist College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 21 secondary education degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $60,521 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962.
Get the full secondary education details for Marist College
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for secondary education this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 11 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in secondary education from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Grayson College came in at #17 for secondary education this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. About 15 secondary education degrees were awarded at Grayson College in the most recent year. Secondary Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Grayson College graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans.
See the full secondary education program report for Grayson College
Concordia University Irvine earned the #18 position for secondary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. About 58% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 11 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $58,590 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree.
Get the full secondary education details for Concordia University Irvine
American University earned the #19 position for secondary education this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 43 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $59,756 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in secondary education from American University
University Of Redlands earned the #20 position for secondary education this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 94 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $59,996. University Of Redlands graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans.
Get the full secondary education details for University Of Redlands
Loyola University Chicago earned the #21 position for secondary education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 32 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $61,945 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the secondary education program at Loyola University Chicago
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #22 among the best secondary education schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 34 secondary education degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $55,555. Typical student debt for the program is $20,548.
See the full secondary education program report for University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for secondary education this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 100 secondary education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $45,795 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,263 in student loans.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 19 secondary education degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Graduates of the secondary education program make about $50,951 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,489 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in secondary education from Florida Gulf Coast University
The College Of New Jersey ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 46 secondary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their secondary education degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $58,526 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full secondary education program report for The College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Secondary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary education ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 240 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
