Best Research Universities for Education Degrees

BEST FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

The best education research universities are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best education degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding education faculty.

Top 10 Research Universities Education Programs

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  1. Columbia University
  2. University of Michigan
  3. New York University
  4. University of California, Los Angeles
  5. University of Washington
  6. University of Southern California
  7. Northwestern University
  8. Duke University
  9. Carnegie Mellon University
  10. Brown University
  1. Drexel University 83%
  2. American University 64%
  3. Brigham Young University 59%
  4. Fordham University 58%
  5. Ohio State University 57%
  6. University of Washington 53%
  7. University of Georgia 40%
  8. University of California, San Diego 34%
  9. University of Florida 30%
  10. University of Michigan 20%
  1. Brigham Young University 21 to 1
  2. University of Washington 20 to 1
  3. Ohio State University 19 to 1
  4. University of California, San Diego 19 to 1
  5. University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
  6. University of Florida 17 to 1
  7. University of Georgia 17 to 1
  8. Boston College 14 to 1
  9. Fordham University 13 to 1
  10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 13 to 1
  1. Columbia University $63,530
  2. Tufts University $63,000
  3. Brown University $62,304
  4. Boston College $61,706
  5. University of Southern California $61,503
  6. Northwestern University $60,768
  7. Duke University $60,244
  8. Boston University $59,816
  9. Carnegie Mellon University $58,924
  10. Washington University in St. Louis $58,866
  1. Brown University $60,944
  2. University of Southern California $60,446
  3. Boston University $58,560
  4. Duke University $57,900
  5. Washington University in St. Louis $57,750
  6. Northwestern University $56,067
  7. Tufts University $54,196
  8. Vanderbilt University $51,600
  9. Columbia University $50,496
  10. Carnegie Mellon University $46,441
  1. Drexel University
  2. American University
  3. Boston College
  4. Fordham University
  5. Brigham Young University
  6. University of Georgia
  7. Vanderbilt University
  8. Tufts University
  9. University of Florida
  10. Emory University
  1. Columbia University 4%
  2. Duke University 6%
  3. Brown University 6%
  4. Vanderbilt University 7%
  5. Northwestern University 7%
  6. Tufts University 11%
  7. University of California, Los Angeles 11%
  8. Emory University 13%
  9. Washington University in St. Louis 13%
  10. New York University 13%
  1. Carnegie Mellon University 5 to 1
  2. Columbia University 6 to 1
  3. Duke University 6 to 1
  4. Northwestern University 6 to 1
  5. Brown University 6 to 1
  6. Washington University in St. Louis 7 to 1
  7. New York University 8 to 1
  8. Vanderbilt University 8 to 1
  9. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  10. Emory University 9 to 1
  1. University of Florida $4,477
  2. Brigham Young University $6,120
  3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $7,019
  4. University of Georgia $9,790
  5. University of Washington $10,927
  6. Ohio State University $11,018
  7. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  8. University of California, San Diego $11,442
  9. University of Michigan $16,865
  10. American University $53,334
  1. Brigham Young University $7,700
  2. University of Georgia $8,878
  3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $10,552
  4. University of Florida $10,770
  5. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  6. University of California, San Diego $11,442
  7. Ohio State University $11,560
  8. University of Washington $16,605
  9. Fordham University $23,112
  10. University of Michigan $24,902

Majoring in education can help you start a career as a classroom teacher, guidance counselor, special education expert, district administrator, university professor and much more. The education major is among the most popular college degree programs both because it provides a clear pathway to a career in education, and because it is extremely versatile. Majoring in education can open the door to a wide range of career prospects.

Note: If you plan to teach public school for grades K-12, you must earn a bachelor’s degree from a recognized teaching education program, sit for your state license, and in some states or districts, earn an advanced degree. To learn more about earning an advanced degree, find out what you can do with a master’s in education.

If you’re getting started on the path to an undergraduate degree in education, note that the best bachelor’s degrees in education are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of education concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Education bachelor’s degrees are the 24th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s most popular among women, for whom it ranks as the 13th most desired degree. Education bachelor’s degrees rank as he 7th most popular degrees for white women, 11th for white men, and 15th for black women, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Education Bachelor’s Degrees

Majoring in education can open you up to a wide range of career prospects, not just in public school teaching, but also in child psychology, family counseling, corporate training, educational technology and much more. Leaders in education have a profound influence on those whose lives they touch-both those who work one-on-one with students in the classroom and those who produce innovations that impact the lives of thousands. Today, top influencers in education are focusing their efforts on the theory of multiple intelligences, examining critical race theory and its relation to education debt in America, the modern small schools movement, and much more.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that rising enrollment in elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S. will increase the demand for teachers at every level of compulsory education over the next decade. The BLS does warn though that this demand will vary by region. As an aspiring educator, take stock of the career opportunities in your community and region.

However, note that wherever you teach, you have a good opportunity to achieve long-term job security. Once hired as a public school teacher, you’ll begin on your path toward tenure. While it can be challenging to achieve this status, tenure will provide you with inbuilt job protection against unfounded dismissal or dismissal based on budget cuts. Moreover, teachers are represented by a powerful labor union, which creates a strong negotiating position for fair pay, health coverage, retirement benefits and, of course, summers off!

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Once you’ve declared your major in education, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized education electives, there are a number of common courses that most education majors will be required to take, including:

  • Introduction to Instructional Design
  • Adult Learning Theories
  • Teaching for Cognitive Growth
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Science and Engineering Programs for Teachers
  • Foundations of Positive Psychology
  • Learning to Teach Online
  • Literacy Education

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Naturally, majoring in education is the starting point if you wish to teach in the classroom. But it’s also the logical starting place if you hope to become a guidance counselor, high school principal, or college professor, as well as a good place from which to launch a career in educational technology, online teaching, college consulting, and much more. Your education major can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including these top jobs:

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Best Research Universities for Education Degree Programs

If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in education.

Ranking: Best Research Universities for Education Degrees

  1. #1

    Columbia University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Columbia University Education Majors

    • Educational Studies
    • Urban Teaching-Elementary/Childhood Education
    • Urban Teaching-Secondary/Adolescent Education

    Source

  2. #2

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    University of Michigan Education Majors

    • Combined Program in Education and Psychology (CPEP)
    • Educational Studies (ES)
    • Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
    • Joint Program in English and Education (JPEE)
    • BA or BS with Teacher Certification
    • Undergraduate Elementary Teacher Education
    • Undergraduate Secondary Teacher Education

    Source

  3. #3

    New York University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    New York University Education Majors

    • EducationBFA MAArt +
    • Childhood Education
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Education Studies
    • Educational Theater
    • English Education
    • Foreign Language Education
    • Math Education
    • Music Education
    • Science Education
    • Social Studies Education
    • Special Education

    Source

  4. #4

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Duke University Education Path

    • License: Elementary Teacher Prep Program (K-6)
    • License: High School Teacher Prep Program (9-12)
    • Certificate: Civic Engagement & Social Change

    Source

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    University of Southern California Education Paths

    • Dynamics of Early Childhood Minor
    • Education and Society Minor
    • Mathematics Education Minor
    • Multilingualism and Multiculturalism Minor
    • Education Policy Minor
    • Progressive Degree Program (Accelerated Master’s)

    Source

  6. #6

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    Brown University Education Concentration and Specializations

    • Education Studies Concentration
    • Education Policy Analysis
    • Child Development
    • Education and Inequality
    • Teaching and Learning
    • Immigrant Youth
    • Education for Social Justice

    Source

  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Northwestern University Education Majors

    • Human Development in Context
    • Learning and Organizational Change
    • Learning Sciences
    • Secondary Teaching
    • Social Policy

    Source

  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    46K

    University of California, Los Angeles Education Majors

    • Education and Social Transformation Major
    • Education Studies Minor

    Source

  9. #9

    Vanderbilt University

    Nashville , TN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Vanderbilt University Education Majors

    • Human and Organizational Development
    • Child Development
    • Early Childhood and Elementary Education
    • Secondary Education
    • Special Education
    • Child Studies
    • Cognitive Studies

    Source

  10. #10

    Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Carnegie Mellon University Education Majors

    • STEM Education

    Source

  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/30

    UNC Chapel Hill Education Majors

    • BAEd Human Development and Family Studies
    • BA Human and Organizational Leadership and Development

    Source

  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Washington University in St. Louis Education Majors

    • Teacher Education
    • Educational Studies

    Source

    Washington University in St. Louis’s Online Degrees

    BS in Integrated Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Humanities
    • Social Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #14

    University of Florida

    Gainesville , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1375/31

    University of Florida Education Majors

    • BAE Early Childhood Education
    • BA Education Sciences
    • BAE Elementary Education

    Source

  14. #15

    Boston University

    Boston , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    32K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/32

    Boston University Education Majors

    • Bilingual Education (Licensure: Grades Pre-K–6 or 5–12)
    • Deaf Studies (no Licensure)
    • Early Childhood Education (Licensure: Grades Pre-K–2)
    • Elementary Education (Licensure: Grades 1–6)
    • English Education (Licensure: Grades 5–8, 8–12, or 5–12)
    • Mathematics Education (Licensure: Grades 5–8, 8–12, or 5–12)
    • Modern Foreign Language Education (Licensure: Grades 5–12)
    • Science Education (Licensure: Grades 5–8, 8–12, or 5–12)
    • Social Studies Education (Licensure: Grades 5–8, 8–12, or 5–12)
    • Special Education (Licensure in Moderate Disabilities: Grades Pre-K–8 or 5–12, or Severe Disabilities Ages 3–21)

    Source

    Boston University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Undergrad Completion Program
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1326/30

    University of Washington Education Majors

    • BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS)
    • BA in Early Care and Education (ECE Online Degree)
    • BA in Education, Communities, & Organizations (ECO)
    • Minor in Education Learning and Society (ELS)

    Source

  16. #18

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Boston College Education Majors

    • BA Applied Psychology and Human Development
    • BA Elementary Education
    • BA Secondary Education
    • BA Transformative Educational Studies

    Source

  17. #19

    University of Georgia

    Athens , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1355/31

    University of Georgia Education Majors

    • Communication Sciences and Disorders
    • Elementary Education
    • English Education
    • Exercise and Sport Science
    • Health and Physical Education
    • Mathematics Education
    • Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
    • Science Education (Biology)
    • Science Education (Chemistry)
    • Science Education (Earth/Space Science)
    • Science Education (Physics)
    • Social Studies Education
    • Special Education (Adapted Curriculum and Autism)
    • Special Education (General Curriculum)
    • Special Education – General Curriculum (Online)
    • Sport Management
    • TESOL and World Language Education

    Source

    University of Georgia’s Online Degrees

    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. #20

    Ohio State University

    Columbus , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    56K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Ohio State University BS in Education Majors

    • Business Education Teacher Education specialization in Technical Education and Training
    • Career and Technical Education specialization in Technical Education and Training
    • Chemistry Education specialization in Science and Mathematics Education
    • Child and Youth Studies
    • Earth Sciences Education specialization in Science and Mathematics Education
    • Exercise Science specialization in Exercise Science Education
    • Family and Consumer Sciences Education specialization in Technical Education and Training
    • Integrated Language Arts/English Education
    • Life Sciences Education specialization in Science and Mathematics Education
    • Mathematics Education specialization in Science and Mathematics Education
    • Middle Childhood Education
    • Physics Education specialization in Science and Mathematics Education
    • Primary Education (P-5)
    • Primary Education (P-5) with Visual Impairment License
    • Special Education
    • Sport Industry
    • Sports Coaching, Recreation, and Physical Education
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
    • World Language Education

    Source

  19. #23

    Fordham University

    Bronx , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Fordham University Education Majors

    Five-year integrated teacher education track and MST teaching degrees

    • Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
    • Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
    • Adolescence Education in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics (Grades 7-12)
    • Exceptional Adolescents (Special Education) Generalist with Subject Extension or
    • Dual Certification(Grades 7-12)
    • TESOL - Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (Grades Pre K -12)

    Source

  20. #25

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/28

    Drexel University Education Majors

    • Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
    • Bachelor’s in Secondary Education
    • BS/MS in Education Degree (Five-Year Program)

    Source

Go to all Research Universities for Education programs

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