2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 4630 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Rice University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $11,904. Get the full Rice University report
You'll be in good company at Princeton University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Princeton University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Get the full Princeton University report
A rank of #5 makes Dartmouth College one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Dartmouth College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,989 in debt. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Northwestern University placed #6 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
Duke University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Get the full Duke University report
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Keck Graduate Institute ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Claremont, CA, Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Keck Graduate Institute Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $19,250 in debt. More on Keck Graduate Institute
University Of Chicago placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. University Of Chicago Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Get the full University Of Chicago report
University Of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,891. More on University Of Notre Dame
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,529. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. More on Cornell University
Brown University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Get the full Brown University report
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
University Of California Berkeley placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Georgetown University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Georgetown University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Harvard University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $16,616. More on Harvard University
Vanderbilt University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Fielding Graduate University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, Fielding Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Fielding Graduate University
Yale University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $14,357. Get the full Yale University report
Lebanon Valley College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,080. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Lebanon Valley College
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Santa Clara University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Santa Clara University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $20,144 in debt. See the full Santa Clara University profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,151. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Kettering University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Kettering University is a private not-for-profit school based in Flint, MI. Kettering University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,425. Students borrow a median of $28,913 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Kettering University
University Of Puget Sound came in at #29 in this year's ranking. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. University Of Puget Sound Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,287 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Puget Sound
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #30 position. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,429. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Claremont Graduate University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #32 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,275. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Mount Marty College placed #33 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Located in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Mount Marty College report
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #34 position. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,097 in debt. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Elizabethtown College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elizabethtown, PA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,599. More on Elizabethtown College
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
Villanova University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,184. Get the full Villanova University report
Tufts University placed #38 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $17,074. Get the full Tufts University report
Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,916. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College
University Of Southern California came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about University Of Southern California
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,393 in debt. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Lehigh University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Get the full Lehigh University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $17,921. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,960. Read more about Texas Christian University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Wake Forest University placed #47 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Wake Forest University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Seattle Pacific University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Seattle Pacific University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Michigan Technological University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Michigan Technological University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,800 in debt. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
Best Graduate Degrees Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Graduate Degrees Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Doctoral Degree Schools
Best Graduate Degrees Schools by State
Explore rankings by state:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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