by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in the United States, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **1031** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 1031 graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite graduate schools against each other? Try our tool College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 graduate school in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $84,850. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 1031 graduate schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top graduate schools in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $78,551. Typical student debt is $16,616.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top graduate schools in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,847. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans.
Georgetown University came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Early-career graduates earn a median of $79,632. Typical student debt is $16,483.
University Of Chicago placed #6 among the best graduate schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Median early-career earnings reach $81,002. The median student debt is $15,854.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania students take on a median of $16,155 in debt.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,560. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete a degree here.
Duke University placed #9 among the best graduate schools in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,388. Typical student debt is $13,296.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Early-career graduates earn a median of $113,129. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology students take on a median of $13,516 in debt.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $89,327. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $69,494. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete a degree here.
Santa Clara University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston placed #14 among the best graduate schools in the United States. Set in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,748, with out-of-state students paying around $43,132. Early-career graduates earn a median of $101,165. Typical student debt is $21,988.
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete a degree here.
Dartmouth College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Dartmouth College graduates report median early-career earnings of $81,992. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.
University Of Southern California came in at #17 in this year's ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,677. University Of Southern California students take on a median of $15,625 in debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #18 among the best graduate schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,254. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete a degree here.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete a degree here.
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Median early-career earnings reach $77,997. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best graduate schools in the United States. Set 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $68,303. Washington University In St Louis students take on a median of $17,553 in debt.
Rice University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,299. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #23 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 run about $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Median early-career earnings reach $61,361. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete a degree here.
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,833. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete a degree here.
University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,638, compared with $44,811 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $85,300. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete a degree here.
Not far behind, these graduate schools also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
Explore the rest of the top 20% below:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA |
| 52 | University Of Minnesota Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN |
| 53 | Oregon Health And Science University | Portland, OR |
| 54 | Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington, IN |
| 55 | Brown University | Providence, RI |
| 56 | University Of Maryland College Park | College Park, MD |
| 57 | The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio | San Antonio, TX |
| 58 | University Of St Thomas Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
| 59 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA |
| 60 | University Of Connecticut | Storrs, CT |
| 61 | University Of California Irvine | Irvine, CA |
| 62 | College Of William And Mary | Williamsburg, VA |
| 63 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ |
| 64 | Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA |
| 65 | University Of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | The College Of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ |
| 142 | Touro University California | Vallejo, CA |
| 143 | West Coast University Orange County | Anaheim, CA |
| 144 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY |
| 145 | Rutgers University Newark | Newark, NJ |
| 146 | Trinity University | San Antonio, TX |
| 147 | Wesley Theological Seminary | Washington, DC |
| 148 | Loyola University Baltimore | Baltimore, MD |
| 149 | Washington State University | Pullman, WA |
| 150 | Cuny Bernard M Baruch College | New York, NY |
| 151 | Saint Johns University | Collegeville, MN |
| 152 | Wheaton College Illinois | Wheaton, IL |
| 153 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA |
| 154 | Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA |
These graduate schools narrowly missed the top tiers:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA |
| 156 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
| 157 | University Of California Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA |
| 158 | Claremont Mckenna College | Claremont, CA |
| 159 | Simmons College | Boston, MA |
| 160 | Providence College | Providence, RI |
| 161 | University Of California San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 162 | University Of Washington Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA |
| 163 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 164 | University Of Washington Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA |
| 165 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA |
| 166 | Concordia University Irvine | Irvine, CA |
| 167 | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT |
| 168 | University Of Miami | Coral Gables, FL |
| 169 | University Of Missouri Columbia | Columbia, MO |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | California State University East Bay | Hayward, CA |
| 171 | California State University Fullerton | Fullerton, CA |
| 172 | Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences | Boston, MA |
| 173 | Williams College | Williamstown, MA |
| 174 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA |
| 175 | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 176 | Yeshiva University | New York, NY |
| 177 | University Of Redlands | Redlands, CA |
| 178 | Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 179 | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | Pomona, CA |
| 180 | Saint Marys University Of Minnesota | Winona, MN |
| 181 | West Chester University Of Pennsylvania | West Chester, PA |
| 182 | Palo Alto University | Palo Alto, CA |
| 183 | Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ |
| 184 | Rush University | Chicago, IL |
| 185 | University Of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 186 | University Of Scranton | Scranton, PA |
| 187 | University Of South Carolina Columbia | Columbia, SC |
| 188 | Towson University | Towson, MD |
| 189 | University Of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Clark University | Worcester, MA |
| 191 | Rochester Institute Of Technology | Rochester, NY |
| 192 | Furman University | Greenville, SC |
| 193 | Galen College Of Nursing Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| 194 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle, WA |
| 195 | Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT |
| 196 | Illinois Institute Of Technology | Chicago, IL |
| 197 | Bryant University | Smithfield, RI |
| 198 | Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ |
| 199 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA |
| 200 | Adelphi University | Garden City, NY |
| 201 | Depaul University | Chicago, IL |
| 202 | University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 203 | Illinois State University | Normal, IL |
| 204 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
| 205 | California State University Chico | Chico, CA |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
