2026 Best Graduate Degrees Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 4630 schools to compile 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Fielding Graduate University this year in the United States. Fielding Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Barbara, CA. See the full Fielding Graduate University profile
A rank of #2 makes Presidio Graduate School one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Anselmo, CA. See the full Presidio Graduate School profile
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Northwestern University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Northwestern University
A rank of #4 makes Santa Clara University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $20,144. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Lebanon Valley College landed the #5 spot. Set in Annville, PA, Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lebanon Valley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Lebanon Valley College report
Stephens College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Columbia, MO, Stephens College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Stephens College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $33,326 in debt. See the full Stephens College profile
Keck Graduate Institute came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Claremont, CA, Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Get the full Keck Graduate Institute report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Michigan Technological University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Claremont Graduate University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. 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. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,627. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. University Of Chicago Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. More on University Of Chicago
Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $16,616. See the full Harvard University profile
Linfield College Adult Degree Program landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Linfield College Adult Degree Program profile
Stanford University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
Duke University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Duke University
Elizabethtown College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elizabethtown, PA. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Elizabethtown College
The College Of New Jersey placed #19 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,429. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #20 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,110. Students borrow a median of $26,916 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Wisconsin Lutheran College
Villanova University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova 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 $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Get the full Villanova University report
Southwestern College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,822. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Southwestern College profile
Seattle Pacific University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Get the full Seattle Pacific University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,393. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Tufts University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $17,074. See the full Tufts University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Johns Hopkins University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
California State University San Marcos did well this year, earning the #27 position. California State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, CA. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $17,527. More on California State University San Marcos
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #28 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,386. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #29 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,923 in debt. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Valley City State University did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in Valley City, ND. About 53% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Valley City State University profile
Georgetown University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $16,483. More on Georgetown University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $14,238. More on University Of California Berkeley
Saint Josephs University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Read the full report on Saint Josephs University
Hodges University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Fort Myers, FL, Hodges University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $29,762 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Hodges University
Vanderbilt University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,259 in debt. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $19,273 in debt. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
The College Of Saint Rose placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Located in Albany, NY, The College Of Saint Rose is a private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $25,722 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full The College Of Saint Rose report
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #41 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,113. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Scranton report
Hood College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Frederick, MD, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,700. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,703. Read the full report on Hood College
Northwestern College Iowa did well this year, earning the #47 position. Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit school based in Orange City, IA. Northwestern College Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Northwestern College Iowa Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,415 in debt. More on Northwestern College Iowa
Arizona State University Skysong did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Skysong Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,742 in debt. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #49 position. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,260. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Saint Marys College Of California did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
Related Graduate Degrees Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Graduate Degrees Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Graduate Degrees Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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