The VCU School of Education is ranked No. 19 in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Education Schools rankings. Among public universities, the school climbed to the No. 11 spot. Perennially ranked among the nation's best schools of education, the school moved up five spots from 2025 on the overall list of ranked schools.

“This recognition affirms the work of our faculty, staff, and students and reflects the school’s continued momentum as a national leader in education,” explains School of Education dean Kelli Feldman. “It reflects our focus on preparing educators, counselors, and leaders who are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve, advancing research that leads to better outcomes for learners, and partnering with schools and organizations in ways that contribute to healthier more thriving communities.”

In its annual rankings of education schools, U.S. News evaluates institutions on the basis of research activity, academic excellence of entering students, faculty resources, and assessments of program quality from peer education school deans and school hiring professionals (school system superintendents, school hiring contacts and others charged with hiring graduates from graduate-level education programs).

Earlier in 2026, the VCU School of Education ranked No. 36 in U.S. News' ranking of best online master’s in education. School of Education faculty and programs generated nearly $38.5 million in new sponsored research funding for fiscal year 2025 with the school ranking No. 13 in terms of total funded research expenditure per faculty member according to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey.