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2024 Best Grad Schools in the United States for Master's Degrees

1,146 Colleges
$58,425 Avg Salary

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which grad school to attend. College Factual has developed its Best Master's Degree Colleges ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.

What's on This Page: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best Grad School for You

Quality Badge

We analyzed 1,146 grad schools across the United States to determine which have the best master's degree programs. Our ranking for the best grad schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.

Higher Than Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a master's degree from the school. Recent students who earned a master's degree in the United States entered the job market making an average of $58,425 while those in the top 25 schools on our list made an average of $77,434.

Starting Salary  ( 63466 to 87872 )
$0
$107,308

Taking Out Student Loans

In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that graduate students take on while pursuing their master's degree. We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty master's recipients will have paying back their loans.

More Ranking Factors That Are Important

We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Master's Degree Schools ranking. On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.

We go into more detail on these factors on our graduate school ranking methodology page.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Other Graduate Rankings
You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best master's degree schools nearest you. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

Thinking about continuing your education further? Check out our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking.

Top Master's Degree Schools in the United States

Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:

1
1,803 Master's Degrees Awarded
$107,308 Average Early-Career Earnings

Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops this year’s ranking as the best grad school for master’s degrees in the United States for overall quality. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1,803 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from MIT is $107,308 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
3,326 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,139 Average Early-Career Earnings

The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Chicago helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the United States. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3,326 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UChicago make an average of $73,139 a year.

Read full report on University of Chicago

3
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California
2,203 Master's Degrees Awarded
$101,186 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #3 on our Best Master’s Degree in the United States list means Stanford University is a great place for students working on their degree. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 2,203 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Stanford make an average of $101,186 a year.

Read full report on Stanford University

4
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois
5,216 Master's Degrees Awarded
$80,937 Average Early-Career Earnings

A rank of #4 on our Best Master’s Degree in the United States list means Northwestern University is a great place for students working on their degree. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 5,216 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Northwestern is $80,937 during the early years of their career.

Full Northwestern University Report

5
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4,816 Master's Degrees Awarded
$90,142 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 in the United States on this year’s best master’s degree schools ranking. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,816 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from UPenn is $90,142 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About University of Pennsylvania

6
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
4,670 Master's Degrees Awarded
$76,001 Average Early-Career Earnings

Harvard University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,670 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Harvard is $76,001 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Harvard University

7
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
3,059 Master's Degrees Awarded
$76,664 Average Early-Career Earnings

Duke University landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,059 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Duke go into careers with an average salary of $76,664 during the early years of their career.

Full Duke University Report

8
KGI crest
Keck Graduate Institute
Claremont, California
140 Master's Degrees Awarded
$66,497 Average Early-Career Earnings

Keck Graduate Institute landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 140 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from KGI make an average of $66,497 a year.

Learn More About Keck Graduate Institute

9
1,727 Master's Degrees Awarded
$59,304 Average Early-Career Earnings

Teachers College at Columbia University landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. New York, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 1,727 students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $59,304 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Teachers College at Columbia University

10
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3,045 Master's Degrees Awarded
$79,946 Average Early-Career Earnings

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,045 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon go into careers with an average salary of $79,946 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Carnegie Mellon University

11
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
2,203 Master's Degrees Awarded
$66,650 Average Early-Career Earnings

Yale University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,203 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Yale is $66,650 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Yale University

12
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas
929 Master's Degrees Awarded
$71,091 Average Early-Career Earnings

Rice University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #12. Rice is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 929 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Rice is $71,091 during the early years of their career.

Full Rice University Report

13
8,527 Master's Degrees Awarded
$75,670 Average Early-Career Earnings

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #13 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in New York, New York that handed out 8,527 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Columbia make an average of $75,670 a year.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Report

14
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
9,128 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,789 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Southern California landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 9,128 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from USC is $73,789 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Southern California Report

15
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
3,975 Master's Degrees Awarded
$73,859 Average Early-Career Earnings

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,975 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Georgetown is $73,859 during the early years of their career.

Full Georgetown University Report

16
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
605 Master's Degrees Awarded
$75,130 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #16, Princeton University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 605 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from Princeton make an average of $75,130 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Princeton University

17
2,343 Master's Degrees Awarded
$64,992 Average Early-Career Earnings

Washington University in St Louis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 2,343 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from WUSTL is $64,992 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Washington University in St Louis

18
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
6,960 Master's Degrees Awarded
$77,574 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #18, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 6,960 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins go into careers with an average salary of $77,574 during the early years of their career.

Full Johns Hopkins University Report

19
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
1,161 Master's Degrees Awarded
$60,478 Average Early-Career Earnings

With a ranking of #19, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,161 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Notre Dame is $60,478 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Notre Dame

20
4,762 Master's Degrees Awarded
$85,207 Average Early-Career Earnings

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #20. Georgia Tech is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,762 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from Georgia Tech make an average of $85,207 per year during the early years of their career.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Report

21
2,905 Master's Degrees Awarded
$67,140 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of California - Berkeley came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school awarded 2,905 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a master’s degree from UC Berkeley make an average of $67,140 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About University of California - Berkeley

22
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
2,888 Master's Degrees Awarded
$91,796 Average Early-Career Earnings

Cornell University did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #22. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,888 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Cornell is $91,796 during the early years of their career.

Full Cornell University Report

23
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
1,573 Master's Degrees Awarded
$94,275 Average Early-Career Earnings

Emory University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking. Emory is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,573 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Emory is $94,275 during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Emory University

24
4,812 Master's Degrees Awarded
$64,936 Average Early-Career Earnings

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States ranking, coming in at #24. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,812 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $64,936 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

25
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
1,554 Master's Degrees Awarded
$82,140 Average Early-Career Earnings

Vanderbilt University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the United States list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 1,554 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $82,140 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Vanderbilt University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Master's Degree Schools in the United States

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Brown Crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
27
28
NYU Crest
New York University
New York, New York
29
30
Bentley Crest
Bentley University
Waltham, Massachusetts
31
Tufts Crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
32
GWU Crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
33
University of Virginia Crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

34
Dartmouth Crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire

35
SCU Crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
36
37
Purdue Crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana
38
Wesleyan U Crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, Connecticut
39
40
Gallaudet Crest
Gallaudet University
Washington, District of Columbia
41
42
Boston U Crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
43

44
Middlebury Crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont

45
46
47
Fielding Crest
Fielding Graduate University
Santa Barbara, California
48
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Master's Degree Schools in the United States

To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:

RankCollegeLocation
51University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
52Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA
53University of FloridaGainesville, FL
54Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
55Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA
56Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
57Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ
58Simmons UniversityBoston, MA
59Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
60Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY
61Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO
62Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA
63Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
64Presidio Graduate SchoolSan Francisco, CA
65University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
RankCollegeLocation
66Bennington CollegeBennington, VT
67University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
68Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
69University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
70University of California - DavisDavis, CA
71Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
72Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ
73United States UniversitySan Diego, CA
74Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA
75The Master’s University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA
76University of St Thomas MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN
77Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA
78University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
79University of California - IrvineIrvine, CA
80University of IowaIowa City, IA
81University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
82Fordham UniversityBronx, NY
83Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA
84Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
85University of DenverDenver, CO
86Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL
87Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX
88Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA
89Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI
90Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN
RankCollegeLocation
91The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ
92Saint Mary’s CollegeNotre Dame, IN
93Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
94George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
95Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
96Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO
97Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
98Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL
99Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
100Saint Mary’s College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA
101North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
102American UniversityWashington, DC
103Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO
104Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
105University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
106University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
107Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
108University of California - Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA
109St John’s CollegeAnnapolis, MD
110Golden Gate University - San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
111Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE
112The Graduate Center, CUNYNew York, NY
113University of ScrantonScranton, PA
114Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
115Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
RankCollegeLocation
116Saint Joseph’s UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
117University of Maryland - Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD
118Mount Mary UniversityMilwaukee, WI
119National UniversitySan Diego, CA
120Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
121University of RochesterRochester, NY
122University of Nebraska - LincolnLincoln, NE
123Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT
124University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA
125Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI
126Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA
127Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO
128San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
129University of KansasLawrence, KS
130William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
131Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SC
132New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ
133Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
134University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
135University of RedlandsRedlands, CA
136Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
137University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD
138Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA
139Sewanee - The University of the SouthSewanee, TN
140Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA
RankCollegeLocation
141Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, MA
142Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
143DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
144University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
145Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
146University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
147Rutgers University - NewarkNewark, NJ
148Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyMonterey, CA
149San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
150Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
151Arizona State University - TempeTempe, AZ
152Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX
153Pacific UniversityForest Grove, OR
154Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
155Providence CollegeProvidence, RI
156Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN
157Kettering UniversityFlint, MI
158University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
159Bryant UniversitySmithfield, RI
160University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA
161The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
162Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT
163University of Phoenix - ArizonaPhoenix, AZ
164Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
165Touro CollegeNew York, NY
RankCollegeLocation
166University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL
167Concordia University, IrvineIrvine, CA
168University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
169University of DelawareNewark, DE
170Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA
171The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
172Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our Best Master’s Degree Schools ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
173American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV
174Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
175Widener UniversityChester, PA
176University of South Carolina - ColumbiaColumbia, SC
177Washington State UniversityPullman, WA
178Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN
179The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX
180University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO
181Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA
182University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
183California Polytechnic State University - San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA
184Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA
185University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
186University of DaytonDayton, OH
187Emerson CollegeBoston, MA
RankCollegeLocation
188Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
189University of the PacificStockton, CA
190Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL
191Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA
192University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
193California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
194Wheaton College IllinoisWheaton, IL
195Aurora UniversityAurora, IL
195Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA
197Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA
198Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne, FL
199James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA
200University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
201National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
202Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN
203Indiana University - Purdue University - IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN
204Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
205Florida International UniversityMiami, FL
206Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY
207Life Pacific CollegeSan Dimas, CA
RankCollegeLocation
208Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
209Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA
210North Dakota State University - Main CampusFargo, ND
211Indiana Wesleyan University - National & GlobalMarion, IN
212Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA
213Valley City State UniversityValley City, ND
214Ohio University - Athens CampusAthens, OH
215University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
216Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
217Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
218University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL
219University of KentuckyLexington, KY
220Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, NY
221Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont, CA
222Heritage UniversityToppenish, WA
223Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL
224Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL
225Rider UniversityLawrenceville, NJ
226Chapman UniversityOrange, CA
227Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL
RankCollegeLocation
228West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
229Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place, WA
230The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX

More Rankings >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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