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2021 Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

572 Colleges
94,324 Bachelor's Degrees
$25,958 Avg Cost*

Finding the Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students

Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional StudentsIn <nil>, 94,324 education students received their bachelor's degrees, making the major the 10th most popular in the country.

This year's Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking analyzed 572 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs as well as strong support for students classified as non-traditional.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as affordability, and overall quality of the education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

2021 Best Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students in the United States

The following schools top our list of the Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students.

Top 25 Education Schools for Non-Traditional Students

1

Valley City State University tops the 2021 list of our schools in the United States that are best for non-traditional education students. Valley City State University is a small public school located in the town of Valley City. Valley City State University also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #3.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.9%. There are approximately 524 students at Valley City State University that take at least one class online. About 860 of the students at Valley City State University are attending part time.

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2

The College of New Jersey comes in at #2 in this year's ranking. TCNJ is a medium-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. TCNJ not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #1 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at TCNJ is lower than is typical, just 0.8% of students default in three years. There are approximately 1,040 students at TCNJ that take at least one class online. About 570 of the students at TCNJ are attending part time.

Full Education at The College of New Jersey Report

3

Athens State University earned the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the town of Athens, Athens State University is a public school with a small student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.9%. 1,673 of Athens State University students are exclusively distance learners. 1,626 students are part time.

Full Education at Athens State University Report

4
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

The #4 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Towson University. Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public school with a large student population. Towson not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #9 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Towson is lower than is typical, just 1.7% of students default in three years. There are approximately 6,258 students at Towson that take at least one class online. About 4,337 of the students at Towson are attending part time.

Full Education at Towson University Report

5

Our rankings recognize Concordia University, Nebraska as the #5 school in this year's rankings. Located in the distant town of Seward, Concordia University, Nebraska is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Concordia University, Nebraska is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Concordia University, Nebraska is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. 418 students at Concordia University, Nebraska are exclusively online. There are roughly 1,494 part time students in attendance at Concordia University, Nebraska.

Full Education at Concordia University, Nebraska Report

6
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

The #6 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Western Governors University. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.7%. There are approximately 150,116 students at WGU and they are all exclusively distance learners.

Read More…

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida earned the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings. UF is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville. UF also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #4.

The student loan default rate at UF is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. There are approximately 22,865 students at UF that take at least one class online. About 11,205 of the students at UF are attending part time.

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8

Our rankings recognize University of Nevada - Las Vegas as the #8 school in this year's rankings. UNLV is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Las Vegas. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNLV also is in the top 5% of our Best Colleges for Education ranking.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.5%. Approximately 15,438 students take at least one class online at UNLV. There are roughly 8,226 part time students in attendance at UNLV.

Full Education at University of Nevada - Las Vegas Report

9

Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus earned the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of University Park, Penn State University Park is a public college with a fairly large student population. Penn State University Park not only placed well in our non-traditional rankings. It is also #5 on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Penn State University Park is lower than is typical, just 0.0% of students default in three years. All of Penn State University Park students are attending part time.

Read full report on Education at Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

10

The #10 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public school with a very large student population. UMN Twin Cities also made our Best Colleges for Education list, coming in at #7.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 0.6%. There are approximately 21,237 students at UMN Twin Cities that take at least one class online. 13,655 students are part time.

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11

Wayne State College comes in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in the distant town of Wayne, WSC is a public school with a small student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, WSC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at WSC is lower than is typical, just 0.4% of students default in three years. Approximately 1,114 students take at least one class online at WSC. 1,617 of WSC students are attending part time.

Full Education at Wayne State College Report

12

Chadron State College landed the #12 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the remote town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a public school with a small student population.

About 1.7% of Chadron State College students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 971 of Chadron State College students are exclusively distance learners. About 700 of the students at Chadron State College are attending part time.

Read full report on Education at Chadron State College

13

The #13 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Missouri Baptist University. MBU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.2%. Approximately 1,140 students take at least one class online at MBU. There are roughly 3,516 part time students in attendance at MBU.

Read full report on Education at Missouri Baptist University

14

University of Central Florida comes in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in the suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public school with a very large student population. UCF excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at UCF is lower than is typical, just 1.3% of students default in three years. There are approximately 28,807 students at UCF that take at least one class online. About 23,575 of the students at UCF are attending part time.

Read More…

15
Kean crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University earned the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings. Kean is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Union.

The student loan default rate at Kean is lower than is typical, just 3.1% of students default in three years. There are approximately 1,503 students at Kean that take at least one class online. 3,314 students are part time.

Full Education at Kean University Report

16

Central Washington University landed the #16 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the town of Ellensburg, CWU is a public school with a medium-sized student population. CWU excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.8%. There are approximately 4,411 students at CWU that take at least one class online. About 1,565 of the students at CWU are attending part time.

Full Education at Central Washington University Report

17

Illinois State University landed the #17 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to being on our bet for non-traditional students list, Illinois State is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

The student loan default rate at Illinois State is lower than is typical, just 1.7% of students default in three years. Approximately 7,464 students take at least one class online at Illinois State. 2,500 students are part time.

Read full report on Education at Illinois State University

18

Our rankings recognize University of Nebraska at Kearney as the #18 school in this year's rankings. Located in the distant town of Kearney, UNK is a public college with a medium-sized student population. UNK excels when it comes to major quality. It's ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Education list.

About 0.7% of UNK students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 2,457 of UNK students are exclusively distance learners. There are roughly 2,176 part time students in attendance at UNK.

Full Education at University of Nebraska at Kearney Report

19

Our rankings recognize Black Hills State University as the #19 school in this year's rankings. Located in the distant town of Spearfish, BHSU is a public school with a small student population.

About 2.3% of BHSU students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 1,356 students at BHSU are exclusively online. There are roughly 1,814 part time students in attendance at BHSU.

Full Education at Black Hills State University Report

20
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University earned the #20 spot in our 2021 rankings. Rider is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

About 1.3% of Rider students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 672 students take at least one class online at Rider. There are roughly 898 part time students in attendance at Rider.

Full Education at Rider University Report

21

Mayville State University earned the #21 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a public school with a small student population.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 2.0%. 601 students at Mayville State University are exclusively online. 550 students are part time.

Read full report on Education at Mayville State University

22
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #22 spot in our 2021 rankings. Trinity Christian is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Palos Heights. Trinity Christian also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

About 2.2% of Trinity Christian students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. Approximately 443 students take at least one class online at Trinity Christian. 151 students are part time.

Read More…

23

Concordia University, Chicago earned the #23 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

The student loan default rate at Concordia University, Chicago is lower than is typical, just 0.9% of students default in three years. 4,234 students at Concordia University, Chicago are exclusively online. 4,622 of Concordia University, Chicago students are attending part time.

Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Chicago

24
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #24 spot in our 2021 best education schools for non-traditional students. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. On top of its placing in our non-traditional rankings, Lee University also did well on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

About 1.2% of Lee University students default on their loans in three years, which is lower than average. 552 of Lee University students are exclusively distance learners. 1,303 students are part time.

Read More…

25
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY

The #25 spot in this year's ranking belongs to SUNY Cortland. Located in the town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public school with a medium-sized student population. SUNY Cortland also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges for Education list. It's in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

The school has a low student loan default rate of 1.4%. There are approximately 1,737 students at SUNY Cortland that take at least one class online. There are roughly 593 part time students in attendance at SUNY Cortland.

Read More…

Rest of the Top 50 Schools for Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students

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SUNY Geneseo crest
SUNY Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
28
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31
32

33

34
35
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Ashland University
Ashland, OH
36
37
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Morningside College
Sioux City, IA
38
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40
41

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43
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
44
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50

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the schools awarded a Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 572 different United States education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
52 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
53 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
54 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
55 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
56 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
57 National Louis University Chicago, IL
58 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
59 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
60 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
61 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
62 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
63 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
64 Bethel University Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
65 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
66 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
67 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
68 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
69 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
70 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
71 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
72 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
73 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
74 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
75 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
76 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
77 University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD
78 Auburn University Auburn, AL
79 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
80 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
81 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS
82 DePaul University Chicago, IL
83 Harding University Searcy, AR
84 SUNY Potsdam Potsdam, NY
85 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for non-traditional students studying Education that almost earned our Best Education Colleges for Non-Traditional Students award.

Rank College Location
86 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
87 University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SC
88 New York University New York, NY
89 Edgewood College Madison, WI
90 University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MN
91 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
92 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
93 Carson - Newman University Jefferson City, TN
94 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
95 Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
96 The College of Saint Rose Albany, NY
97 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
98 Minot State University Minot, ND
99 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
100 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
101 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
102 Newman University Wichita, KS
103 Mount St Mary’s University Emmitsburg, MD
104 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
105 Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD
106 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
107 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
108 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
109 William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS
110 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
111 Boston University Boston, MA
112 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
113 Dakota State University Madison, SD
114 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT

Education by Region

View the best for non-traditional students Education colleges in a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Cost is for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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