Best Colleges for Education in 2025–26

30 colleges with strong education programs, ranked by size and selectivity.

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA

55% acceptance$19,286 in-state

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

78.9% acceptance$17,850 in-state

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA

60.6% acceptance$20,644 in-state

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

84.8% acceptance$16,458 in-state

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

89.3% acceptance$11,450 in-state

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

76.7% acceptance$12,180 in-state

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA

93.5% acceptance$7,458 in-state

Utah Valley University

Orem, UT

$6,507 in-state

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA

76.4% acceptance$15,606 in-state

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

93.5% acceptance$12,102 in-state

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI

83% acceptance$15,140 in-state

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

96.4% acceptance$7,950 in-state

Weber State University

Ogden, UT

$6,557 in-state

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

67.9% acceptance$5,285 in-state

Towson University

Towson, MD

82% acceptance$11,728 in-state

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

81.2% acceptance$15,190 in-state

Baylor University

Waco, TX

51.3% acceptance$58,100 in-state

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA

78.4% acceptance$10,775 in-state

Portland State University

Portland, OR

90.9% acceptance$11,679 in-state

CUNY City College

New York, NY

60% acceptance$7,340 in-state

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

93.9% acceptance$11,652 in-state

University of Vermont

Burlington, VT

65.3% acceptance$19,058 in-state

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN

88.4% acceptance$9,572 in-state

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL

69.8% acceptance$13,248 in-state

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

44.5% acceptance$61,740 in-state

National University

San Diego, CA

$13,284 in-state

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY

58.4% acceptance$7,452 in-state

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS

99.1% acceptance$9,998 in-state

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

81.8% acceptance$4,630 in-state

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, NY

92.3% acceptance$7,490 in-state

About education as a major

An undergraduate education degree prepares you for state teacher licensure — typically by combining education coursework (pedagogy, child development, classroom management, educational psychology) with one or two content-area majors (English, math, history, science, etc.). The job market for teachers is unusually consistent: every state needs them, demand for special education, math, and science teachers especially outstrips supply, and starting salaries are uniform within each district. Public-school teaching also typically includes summers off, a pension, and one of the few employer-paid healthcare packages still common. The catch: starting pay in some states is much lower than other entry-level college roles. Within education, special education, ESL, and bilingual specialties have higher demand and signing bonuses in many districts.

Salary range

$42,000 – $60,000 starting (varies by state); $85,000+ mid-career with master's; private school and admin roles higher

Study path

4-year BA or BS in Education. Core: child/adolescent development → educational psychology → curriculum design → student teaching placement (semester-long, supervised). Most states require state-administered Praxis or licensure exam in senior year.

How to choose a education program

State licensure requirements vary — choose a program accredited in the state where you want to teach. Look for programs with extensive student teaching placements and partnerships with local school districts. The student-teaching semester (typically senior year) is the most consequential part of the program — strong placements often turn into job offers. Consider specializations like special education, ESL, or STEM education — these have higher demand and often signing bonuses. If you might want to teach in a private school or charter, you don't always need state licensure but you do need content-area depth.

Common career paths for education graduates

K-12 Teacher, School Administrator, Curriculum Developer, Education Policy Analyst, Instructional Designer, Special Education Teacher, School Counselor (with master's), Reading Specialist, Department Head, EdTech Product Designer

Real careers, real salaries

See all →
K-12 Teacher$64K
+1% by 2032
School Counselor$62K
+5% by 2032

Scholarships for education students

There are scholarships specifically for students studying education. Search our database to find awards you qualify for.

Find education scholarships →
Best education colleges ranked →Compare collegesCheck your chancesNet price calculatorBrowse all colleges

Last updated: November 2025. Live acceptance rates and tuition pulled from each college's most recent reporting.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.