2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in the United States
Washington University In St Louis ranks #1 of 2,063 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in the United States ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 80% six-year graduation rate and $79,905 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the United States, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **2063** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 2063 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Early-career salaries.
The top-ranked colleges span the following early-career salary range:
Starting Salary ( 45902 to 71235 )
Top 25 Colleges in the United States
Washington University In St Louis leads the 2,063 ranked colleges in the United States, followed by Loma Linda University (#2) and Yeshiva University (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found Washington University In St Louis to be the best college in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $68,303. The median student debt is $17,553.
Out of the 2063 colleges in the United States in this year's ranking, Loma Linda University landed the #2 spot. Set in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,960. Early-career graduates earn a median of $93,833. Loma Linda University students take on a median of $25,094 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Yeshiva University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,800. Median early-career earnings reach $52,838. The median student debt is $20,625.
Out of the 2063 colleges in the United States in this year's ranking, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #4 spot. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,004. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University students take on a median of $23,393 in debt.
You'll be in good company at University Of Florida, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,388. The median student debt is $17,669.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,111. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,155. Graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
Loyola University Chicago placed #8 among the best colleges in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,568. Graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete a degree here.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Median early-career earnings reach $53,666. The median student debt is $25,195.
Michigan Technological University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete a degree here.
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Early-career graduates earn a median of $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete a degree here.
University Of Connecticut came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. University Of Connecticut graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,784. Typical student debt is $23,637.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Lancaster, PA, Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $32,933. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,496. Typical student debt is $26,402.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #15 among the best colleges in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Median early-career earnings reach $65,183. Typical student debt is $23,923.
New York University placed #16 among the best colleges in the United States. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $64,516. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,622. Typical student debt is $22,113.
Florida State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Florida State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,884. Typical student debt is $20,488.
Widener University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete a degree here.
University Of Central Florida ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,790. Typical student debt is $21,620.
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,777. Median early-career earnings reach $56,861. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete a degree here.
Calvin College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,220. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete a degree here.
Drake University placed #23 among the best colleges in the United States. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $56,228. The median student debt is $22,273.
Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,536 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,224 to complete a degree here.
Lewis University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Romeoville, IL. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,718. The median student debt is $24,838.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Colleges in the United States
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 2,063 in the United States. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in the United States, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **2063** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
