TeachingDegree.org assesses postsecondary institutions based on the educational factors that matter most to students. Our independent ranking methodology for teaching degrees remains objective, data-based, and specific to the needs of prospective teachers.
Our strict data collection process produces unique rankings that remain free of outside influence. Since we pull ranking data from federal statistics, a school cannot pay for a higher spot on our lists. Our site does use ad partners, but those advertising relationships do not affect our rankings.
Our ranking methodology for teaching degrees involves collecting, organizing, and applying data. This process also entails weighing major educational factors, such as academics, affordability, reputation, and program availability.
Within these major educational categories, we also weigh various subcategories. We may weight these subcategories differently based on the level or type of degree (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, and online graduate programs).
To communicate with complete transparency, this methodology page details the specific components of our ranking system and the data we use to score teaching programs.
About the Data We Use
TeachingDegree.org ranks schools based on reliable data collected by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Our ranking methodology for teaching degrees remains accurate through meticulous data collection and annual updates.
The statistics considered in school rankings come largely from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a federal agency that collects educational statistics for ED's Institute of Education Sciences. Students, parents, educational researchers, the media, and even Congress can use this research-based, public organization research educational information.
NCES analyzes and publishes data related to every level of education, and they have a special system dedicated specifically to college-level education. NCES conducts an annual system of interrelated, collegiate surveys through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
IPEDS is the authority on trends in postsecondary education. This data system offers statistical information on student enrollment, staff appointment, fund expenditure, and degree acquisition for schools across the country. If IPEDS offers insufficient data for a school, our quality assurance team excludes the school from our rankings.
Our education program ranking methodology remains current through the process of recollecting data each year. While we may still include older rankings, we never rebrand them for a new year. Instead, we reconstruct the data collection and analysis process when IPEDS publishes new educational statistics.
Since educational factors change constantly, we keep our school rankings current by updating ranked lists as new information becomes available.
Note: As of Nov. 3, 2020, IPEDS has released only a portion of its updated school data for 2020. Our rankings on this site use the most current data available at the time of publication.
A Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
Prospective teachers need to find schools that meet their educational needs. Our methodology for ranking teaching degree programs relies on academics, affordability, reputation, and program availability. We weigh these elements based on level and type of degree. The pie charts below display the weight of each category per type of degree.
About Our Ranking Factors
Within each weighted factor category, we apply data from several subfactors to determine scores. Subfactors include components that matter to degree-seekers, including graduation rates, student debt, return on investment, and online enrollment. We also weigh these subfactors to reflect the most relevant figures in each category.
| Retention Rate | This statistic refers to the rate at which students persist in their postsecondary program at an institution. This figure indicates the percentage of degree-seeking undergraduates who re-enroll in consecutive years or successfully complete programs. |
|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | This figure demonstrates the total number of enrollees who complete their degrees within a six-year period divided by the revised adjusted cohort. |
| Robust Faculty | Robust faculty refers to the proportion of full-time and part-time faculty working at a postsecondary institution. Faculty roles include instruction, research, and various administrative roles, including deans and provosts. |