by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 166 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 18,306 associate degrees in education during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of education for getting your associate degree school matters. Important measures of a quality education program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for education students working on their associate degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Education Associate Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in education. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It's difficult to beat University of Delaware if you wish to pursue an associate degree in education. Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from University of Delaware
It's hard to beat Rasmussen University - Florida if you wish to pursue an associate degree in education. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen University - Florida is a private for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in education from Rasmussen University - Florida
It's hard to beat University of Cincinnati - Main Campus if you want to pursue an associate degree in education. Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in education has to look into Delaware Technical Community College - Terry. Located in the small city of Dover, Delaware Tech is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in education from Delaware Technical Community College - Terry
Located in the large city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from El Centro College
Located in the large suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in education from Southern Adventist University
IWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Marion.More information about a associate in education from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Located in the large city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in education from College of Southern Nevada
Located in the suburb of Fairbanks, UAF is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in education from University of Alaska Fairbanks
Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from South Texas College
Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Worcester.More information about a associate in education from Quinsigamond Community College
MSU is a small public university located in the remote town of Minot.More information about a associate in education from Minot State University
Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg.More information about a associate in education from Liberty University
UVU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Orem.More information about a associate in education from Utah Valley University
Dordt is a small private not-for-profit university located in the remote town of Sioux Center.More information about a associate in education from Dordt University
Located in the city of San Diego, UAGC is a private for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from The University of Arizona Global Campus
BCC is a medium-sized public college located in the large city of Bronx.More information about a associate in education from Bronx Community College
Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in education from Ohio State University - Main Campus
CNM is a large public college located in the large city of Albuquerque.More information about a associate in education from Central New Mexico Community College
Essex is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Newark.More information about a associate in education from Essex County College
Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in education from Campbell University
Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College of Philadelphia is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in education from Community College of Philadelphia
Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Madison.More information about a associate in education from Madison Area Technical College
Located in the large city of Milwaukee, MATC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in education from Milwaukee Area Technical College
Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in education from Middlesex Community College
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Education Associate Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Delaware County Community College | Media, PA |
| 27 | Trinity Washington University | Washington, DC |
| 28 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC |
| 29 | Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA |
| 30 | The University of Montana - Western | Dillon, MT |
| 31 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI |
| 32 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX |
| 33 | Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane, WA |
| 36 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 25 | Rasmussen University - Illinois | Rockford, IL |
View the Best Education Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 12,921 |
| General Education | 2,078 |
| Special Education | 1,328 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 945 |
| Teaching Assistants | 871 |
| Instructional Media Design | 77 |
| Educational Administration | 59 |
| Other Education | 7 |
| Student Counseling | 6 |
| Teaching English or French | 6 |
