Best Research Universities for Education Degrees 2025

Badge for 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.

Key Takeaways

  • Students at the universities in this ranking benefit from learning from internationally recognized faculty members who are leaders in education research, as well as extensive professional networks that provide mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in both academic and applied educational settings.
  • Leading universities provide a wide range of specializations within education, including early childhood, higher education administration, special education, and educational policy, along with opportunities to collaborate with departments like psychology, sociology, and public policy for a broader understanding of educational issues.
  • Top research universities offer cutting-edge research opportunities in education, focusing on areas such as curriculum development, educational psychology, and technology-enhanced learning, allowing students to contribute to advancements in educational theory and practice.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best research universities for education programs saw a considerable amount of shuffling. The University of Washington gained the most ranking positions. The university has expanded its Digital Education Innovation Lab, providing students with hands-on experience in designing and implementing digital learning tools and virtual classroom environments.

Additionally, new courses focusing on inclusive education and culturally responsive teaching have been added, reflecting the latest research in educational equity. The university has also strengthened its partnerships with local schools, offering more opportunities for fieldwork, internships, and community-based learning experiences that allow Education students to apply theory in real-world settings. These updates make the program more dynamic and aligned with current trends in education.

Featured Programs

Ranking: Best Research Universities for Education Degrees

  1. #1

    Columbia University

    New York , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $66K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    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

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $18,309
    Expenses: $17,554
    Starting Salary: $76,133
    Salary after 4 years: $81,256
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    65K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    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. Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    49K

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,747
    Expenses: $24,284
    Starting Salary: $70,543
    Salary after 4 years: $75,290
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of California, Los Angeles Education Majors

    • Education and Social Transformation Major
    • Education Studies Minor

    Source

  5. #5

    Duke University

    Durham , NC

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    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

  6. Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    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

  7. Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    58K

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of Washington

    Cost of Degree: $12,643
    Expenses: $21,909
    Starting Salary: $67,074
    Salary after 4 years: $71,587
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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

  8. Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Northwestern University Education Majors

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

    Source

  9. #10

    Brown University

    Providence , RI

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/35

    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

  10. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    24%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    44K

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of California, San Diego

    Cost of Degree: $15,265
    Expenses: $23,240
    Starting Salary: $67,074
    Salary after 4 years: $71,587
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UC San Diego Education Major

    • BS in Education Sciences

    Source

  11. #12

    Boston University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    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
  12. Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    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. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Cost of Degree: $8,989
    Expenses: $17,120
    Starting Salary: $66,303
    Salary after 4 years: $70,764
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    UNC Chapel Hill Education Majors

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

    Source

  14. #15

    Ohio State University

    Columbus , OH

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    67K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1395/30

    Career Outlook for Education degree at Ohio State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,859
    Expenses: $18,372
    Starting Salary: $51,655
    Salary after 4 years: $55,130
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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

  15. #16

    University of Florida

    Gainesville , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    23%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    63K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1395/30

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,381
    Expenses: $16,220
    Starting Salary: $63,316
    Salary after 4 years: $67,576
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Florida Education Majors

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

    Source

  16. #17

    Tufts University

    Medford , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    10%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    Tufts University Education Majors

    Undergraduate major in Education is a co-major only

    • BFA/MAT in Art Education
    • BA or BS/MAT in Middle and High School Education

    Source

  17. #19

    Vanderbilt University

    Nashville , TN

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Vanderbilt University Education Majors

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

    Source

  18. #20

    University of Georgia

    Athens , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    43%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Career Outlook for Education degree at University of Georgia

    Cost of Degree: $11,180
    Expenses: $16,926
    Starting Salary: $56,955
    Salary after 4 years: $60,787
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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
  19. #22

    Fordham University

    Bronx , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1400/31

    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. #23

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1487/34

    Boston College Education Majors

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

    Source

  21. #25

    Drexel University

    Philadelphia , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1330/29

    Drexel University Education Majors

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

    Source

Career Outlook for Students with Education Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Educational Leadership And Administration

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,110
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,870
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $37,536
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $40,062
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 13 years
  • Job Growth: 0.66%
  • Number of Jobs: 671,600
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Training and Development Managers7.41%$125,040
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary-0.51%$103,460
Education Administrators, Postsecondary2.91%$102,610
Education Administrators, All Other2.43%$88,460
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare-2.10%$54,290

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Training and Development Managers$125,040
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$103,460
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$102,610

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

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.

Go to all Research Universities for Education programs

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