2026 Best Graduate Degrees Master’s Degree Schools

#1

Keck Graduate Institute

Claremont, CA

No school ranked higher than Keck Graduate Institute this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,250. Read more about Keck Graduate Institute

#2

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Stanford University profile

#4

Rice University

Houston, TX

Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $11,904. Get the full Rice University report

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Princeton University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read more about Princeton University

#6

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College placed #6 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Dartmouth College

#7

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $13,296. See the full Duke University profile

#8

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #8 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read the full report on Northwestern University

#9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #9 position. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#10

University Of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,891. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame

#11

University Of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about University Of Chicago

#12

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Cornell University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell University

#13

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile

#14

Brown University

Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Brown University

#15

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $16,155. More on University Of Pennsylvania

#16

Teachers College At Columbia University

New York, NY

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #16 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile

#17

University Of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. More on University Of California Berkeley

#18

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $20,144. More on Santa Clara University

#19

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Read the full report on Georgetown University

#20

University Of Virginia Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,627. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus

#21

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University

#22

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Yale University did well this year, earning the #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Yale University

#23

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University

#24

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located 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. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,616. More on Harvard University

#25

University Of California Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,097. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report

#26

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,151. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile

#27

Kettering University

Flint, MI

Kettering University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Flint, MI. Kettering University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,425. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,913. More on Kettering University

#28

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Austin

#29

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

#30

University Of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA

University Of Puget Sound ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. Students borrow a median of $25,287 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report

#31

Villanova University

Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,184. More on Villanova University

#32

Tufts University

Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $17,074. See the full Tufts University profile

#33

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #33 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $20,778. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report

#34

The College Of New Jersey

Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey placed #34 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. 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 the full report on The College Of New Jersey

#35

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University placed #35 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,577. Read more about Wake Forest University

#36

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Elizabethtown College

#37

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $19,137. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile

#38

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. More on Emory University

#39

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University placed #39 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,008. More on Lehigh University

#40

University Of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,923. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota

#41

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #41 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report

#42

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin Lutheran College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. 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. More on Wisconsin Lutheran College

#43

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,393. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

#44

Washington University In St Louis

St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $17,553. Read more about Washington University In St Louis

#45

Mount Marty College

Yankton, SD

Mount Marty College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Mount Marty College report

#46

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #46 among Graduate Degrees schools in the United States. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Read the full report on Drake University

#47

University Of Washington Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#48

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Claremont Graduate University

#49

Trinity University

San Antonio, TX

Trinity University did well this year, earning the #49 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Antonio, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,676. Graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans. More on Trinity University

#50

Cuny Graduate School And University Center

New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $17,921. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report