Informing yourself on the top schools for Masters in Education programs is a key step in deciding if this is the right degree for you to chase and if so, where you should chase it. We’ve taken the hard work out of this process by compiling a list of top schools for Masters of Education for you, and examining what makes some of the top players in this field stand out amongst the rest.

It’s not only important for you to know what the best education schools are in general, but also to get an idea of the sorts of specialized programs offered by each of these top universities. That’s why we’ve also broken down the specialized offerings from a few of the top education schools around the country.

List of Top Schools for Masters in Education

Here are some of the top schools for Masters in Education programs in the US, based on US News best rankings and various other graduate school rankings lists:

1. Columbia Teachers’ College
2. Harvard University
3. UCLA
4. Stanford University
5. Vanderbilt University
6. University of Pennsylvania
7. UC Berkeley
8. University of Southern California
9. University of Texas – Austin
10. Ohio State University
11. Boston College
12. University of Florida
13. George Washington University
14. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
15. New York University
16. University of Minnesota

In addition to these there are many high quality online Masters in Education programs.

What makes these top schools for Masters in Education better than others? The quality of teaching stuff counts for a lot, but quantity of teaching staff is also a big factor – the staff to student ratio has an effect on how much one-on-one time you get with your teachers, which in turn can have a big impact on how thoroughly you understand the concepts you learn.

Other factors include the prestige a school holds amongst those who employ graduates, accreditation behind these schools, median salary expectations for graduates, and how many graduates from each school end up in high profile jobs.

There are other factors that may influence which school is the ‘best’ according to your own goals. For example, if you’re interested in getting funding for research, a school like the University of Nevada (which hands out millions in research grants) may be a good option – even though it doesn’t rank highly based on the other factors mentioned here.

Of the above top schools for Masters in Education, Vanderbilt is arguably the hardest one to get accepted into when applying for a Masters in Education program. Vanderbilt only accepts about 9% of applications for its PhD program, and they’re equally strict on who they let into their Masters programs.

Types of Degrees at Best Schools for Masters In Education

Of course, there are different specializations you can do within the Masters of Education degree, and some schools offer better options for particular path to becoming a teacher in the field you most want to pursue. For instance, Harvard offers a particular stand-out program in Higher Education. The Stanford Teacher Education Program is a general program but is aimed at cultivating the skills necessary for teaching (as opposed to educational administration and management jobs).

UCLA, on the other hand, offers a Masters of Education in Student Affairs – the ideal qualification to prepare you for a role outside of teaching, in managing students. This can cover jobs like administering a schools finances, running a dormitory, organizing a student organization or anything else that involves overseeing the smooth operation of a school or university.

UC Berkeley offers a program called the Masters and Credential in Science and Mathematics Education. This can lead to job roles teaching math or science, either in a university, high school or lower down the educational pyramid. If you already have a clear idea of what you want to teach (and if you want to teach at the high school or university level, you will need to decide on a teaching specialization early) then this is the kind of program you want to apply for.

Over on the east coast, New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development has a wide range of specialized programs within the education field. It offers programs you won’t find at many other top quality universities, such as a Masters in Dance Education and a Masters in Educational Theatre. It also offers more traditional specializations like Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership among the top schools for masters in education.