MLFC graduate education programs are ranked among best

Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation continues to be among the Top 20 graduate colleges of education in the United States, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking of graduate colleges of education.

From 263 institutions that completed the survey, MLFC moved up to No. 19 in the category of overall graduate education, ahead of Michigan State University, the University of Washington and Ohio State University. The college’s quality-focused offerings for students are reinforced by its approach to connecting learning with current research and practice. 

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report ranking cycle, MLFC moved up to No. 19 in the category of overall graduate education. The U.S. News & World Report rankings identified the following graduate MLFC specialties as among the best in the nation:

• No. 21: Graduate educational administration, along with the University of Georgia, Texas A&M and New York University. MLFC’s programs in this category include the MEd, Educational Leadership and MEd, Educational Leadership (Principalship).
  
  
• No. 22: Graduate curriculum and instruction, ahead of the University of Connecticut, the University of Minnesota and Texas A&M. MLFC’s programs in this category include Education (Educating Multilingual Learners), MA; Education (Literacy Education), MA; Education, MA; and Curriculum and Instruction (Gifted Education), MEd.

MLFC, as part of ASU, also contributes to the university being ranked No. 2 for education research expenditures of $88 million, based on the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development, or HERD, survey.

With more than 20 master’s degree tracks — including programs that incorporate teacher certification tracks, applied behavior analysis, learning design and technologies and educational leadership — the college’s graduate offerings are designed to expand flexible, career-aligned pathways for learners at every stage of life. Beyond degrees, the college offers certificates and professional learning modules for educators and others interested in enhancing their skills, such as through the ASU Professional Educator Learning Hub. 

The strength of the college’s graduate programs are also reflected in growing partnerships with districts and other youth-serving organizations to increase educator capacity in a variety of learner-focused settings. 

“As workforce needs evolve and existing models fall short, MLFC has been steadily evolving our interdisciplinary approaches to quality education,” said MLFC Dean Carole Basile. “Rather than operating through isolated programs, the college situates learning in real-world contexts, and that comes from our work across systems and partnering with schools, communities and organizations to design solutions that improve outcomes at scale.”

Bolstering the college’s offerings are faculty who bring both practitioner and scholarship expertise. The college’s faculty contribute significantly to the university consistently ranking among the top nationally for education research expenditures.

“Our research is designed to matter by connecting scholarly expertise with real-world challenges in education,” said Basile. “For our students, that means learning in environments shaped by current, relevant work and gaining experience that prepares them to lead in a rapidly changing field. Our national standing in research investment reflects both the strength of our scholarship and the depth of that student experience.”

Learn more about MLFC’s graduate degree programs.

See the full rankings of 2026 Best Education Schools.