U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Clemson University College of Education as the #1 online graduate education program in the nation in 2025. Master’s programs across all three departments in the College contributed to maintaining the top overall spot, which it has held for seven of the last eight years.
Programs included in the overall ranking include the M.Ed. in teaching and learning, M.Ed. in educational leadership and the M.Ed. in special education.
C.C. Bates, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Education, said she and College leadership credit the work of faculty and staff for keeping this top ranking. She emphasized that the College is committed to ensuring its programs remain relevant, engaging and convenient for students, continually refining them in response to student needs and feedback.
“Maintaining this ranking for so many consecutive years sends a clear indication of quality to prospective students, those currently in the program and alumni of these programs, all of whom are making an impact in schools across the country,” Bates said. “Our students apply the lessons they learn from our programs in their classrooms and workplaces even before graduation, and we are confident that they positively influence student achievement in our state and beyond.”
Bates said it is important to note that the online programs in the College can reach across the state to rural areas and serve students who would otherwise not be able to attend in person. She said tailoring programs to these individuals and busy, working professionals in education makes the degrees as attainable as they are valuable.
“When we make our programs available to educators who may not live close to a university, we become that much more aligned with the Clemson University land-grant mission,” Bates said. “Our graduates make a positive difference in classrooms, schools and communities every day, so we see quality online programs as a vital service to the state.”
Morgan Denton is a teacher at St. John’s High School in Johns Island, South Carolina, and a current student in the top-ranked teaching and learning M.Ed. program. Through the program, Denton has specialized in instructional coaching, and she said she has already seen the benefit of the coursework in her current teaching.
As part of her coursework, Denton has learned how to translate what works in her classroom to other educators effectively, and she looks forward to positively impacting student growth by working with and supporting the teaching of others.
“I have learned some nuances of presenting new information and major changes to faculty, hosting teacher support sessions and observing the challenges and successes of a major overhaul of a system,” Denton said. “By providing teachers with meaningful and relevant professional development, I can be a positive role model and mentor and support teachers who need additional help.”
Achieving a top ranking requires a dedication to program quality and a determined commitment to graduating each student who enters the program. According to U.S. News, the highest-ranked programs at the master’s level perform well on traditional metrics — such as having selective admissions and credentialed faculty — while also successfully adapting course delivery for educating students remotely. U.S. News provides comprehensive data and rankings of online programs for prospective students. The College of Education offers master’s and educational specialist degrees that equip professionals with the tools to excel in various professions in education and allied fields including teaching, school administration, counseling, human resources and leadership in higher education and athletics.
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