U.S. News & World Report evaluated 280 schools granting doctoral degrees on quality, student selectivity, faculty resources, and research activity. From the methodology: Two surveys were conducted in the fall of 2011. Education school deans and deans of graduate studies were asked to rate program quality from marginal (1) to outstanding (5). This is the peer assessment score. Superintendents in a sampling of districts nationwide were also asked to rate programs. This is the superintendent assessment score. More details on these surveys are available at usnews.com/grad.
These are the top 10 education schools:
1. Vanderbilt University
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, grabbed the No. 1 spot on the list for the fourth consecutive year with an overall score of 100. Average GRE scores in 2011 were 634 verbal/702 quantitative; peer assessment score was 4.6 out of 5, as was the superintendent assessment score. Total graduate enrollment in 2011 was 855.More from About.com:
2. Harvard University
The Harvard Graduate School of Education in Massachusetts scored 97 in the No. 2 spot. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 664 verbal/710 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 4.5 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.8. The school enrolled 936 students in 2011.More from About.com:
3. University of Texas-Austin
The College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin is No. 3 with an overall score of 96. Average GRE scores in 2011 were 543 verbal/625 quantitative; peer assessment score was 4.1 out of 5. The superintendent assessment score was 4.3. Total graduate enrollment in 2011 was 1,273.More from About.com:
4. Stanford University
No. 4 on the list is the Stanford University School of Education in Stanford, California. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 650 verbal/715 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 4.5 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.8. The school enrolled 359 students in 2011. The school has a higher rate of doctoral students per faculty member, and fewer research dollars than the higher-ranking schools.More from About.com:
5. Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, New York is No. 5 with an overall score of 89. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 547 verbal/655 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 4.5 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.6. The school enrolled 5,108 students in 2011.From the school's website: "Teachers College, Columbia University, is the oldest and largest graduate school of education in the United States, and also perennially ranked among the nation’s best. Its name notwithstanding, the College is committed to a vision of education writ large, encompassing our four core areas of expertise: health, education, leadership and psychology."
6. The Johns Hopkins School of Education
Two schools tied for No. 6 with scores of 87. The first is Johns Hopkins School of Education in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has three research centers: the Center for Research and Reform in Education; the Center for Social Organization of Schools; and the Center for Technology in Education.The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 551 verbal/671 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 3.9 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.6. The school enrolled 1,650 students in 2011.
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7. University of California-Los Angeles
Tied for the No. 6 spot with a score of 87 is the graduate program in Education at the University of California at Los Angeles. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 542 verbal/612 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 4.0 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.3. The school enrolled 835 students in 2011. The application deadline is December 3 for fall enrollment.8. University of Oregon
The School of Education at the University of Oregon in Eugene is No. 8 on the list with an overall score of 84. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 514 verbal/547 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 3.5 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 3.6. The school enrolled 681 students in 2011.An outstanding feature of this school is its high level of funded research per faculty member. At $1,096.9 in 2011, it surpasses all other schools on the list, many times more than most.
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9. Northwestern University
Three schools tied for the No. 9 spot. The first is the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with an overall score of 83. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 652 verbal/747 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 3.9 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.4. The school enrolled 356 students in 2011.10. University of Pennsylvania
The Graduate School of Education at Pennsylvania University in Philadelphia tied for No. 9 with a score of 83. The average graduate GRE score in 2011 was 639 verbal/668 quantitative. The peer assessment score was 4.0 out of 5, and the superintendent score was 4.3. The school enrolled 1,212 students in 2011.Penn GSE has a wide variety of education degrees and programs.
