Three Neag School of Education graduate programs have been ranked among the top 25 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, which released its 2026 Best Education Schools rankings earlier today.
In addition, the Neag School appears for the 11th straight year as one of the top 30 public graduate schools of education in the United States, tied at No. 26. Among all graduate schools of education across the nation, both public and private, the Neag School stands tied at No. 35.
All three programs featured in the specialty rankings increased since last year’s rankings, with the Neag School’s Special Education Program ranked No. 16, up two spots from 2025; the Educational Administration Programs tied at No. 25, up three spots; and the Curriculum and Instruction Program jumped an impressive 10 spots to be tied at No. 24.
“To see all three of our nationally ranked graduate programs rise this year, while sustaining more than a decade as one of the nation’s top public graduate schools of education, speaks to the steadfast dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “These rankings reflect the extraordinary strength of the Neag School of Education and our commitment to advancing educational excellence and equity as a national leader in higher education.”
In fall 2025 and early 2026, U.S. News collected statistical and reputation data from education schools nationwide that grant doctoral degrees in education; of 510 schools surveyed, 270 responded and met the requirements for inclusion in the rankings.
Nine different indicators, including research activity, faculty resources, student selectivity, and assessment scores by peers, are used in the rankings calculations. Specialty rankings are based solely on nominations by deans of education schools and deans of graduate studies at education schools from the list of schools surveyed, according to U.S. News.
Check out the full U.S. News Best Education Schools rankings at usnews.com.
