Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education has advanced to 15th among public schools of education in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report graduate education rankings, up from 16th last year. This Top 15 ranking clearly reflects the school’s dedication to academic excellence and growing reputation as a top-tier institution.

U.S. News evaluates graduate education schools based on research activity, academic excellence of entering students, faculty resources, and opinions on program quality from education school deans and school hiring professionals.

“The VCU School of Education’s climb to 15th among public graduate schools – and 24th overall out of a total of 456 surveyed education schools – in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings reflects our unwavering dedication to academic excellence, transformative research, and community engagement,” said Kelli Feldman, Ph.D., dean of the VCU School of Education. “This achievement captures the essence of our mission—creating an innovative and welcoming environment where every student, faculty member, and alum feels valued and empowered to thrive. I’m thrilled to join this vibrant community at such a pivotal moment and extend my deepest gratitude to our faculty, staff, students, and supporters for driving this success.”

“Our rise to 15th among public schools of education, fueled by $152 million in active, cumulative research funding in 2024, empowers our faculty and students to deliver real-world solutions to critical challenges like teacher, leader and counselor shortages and student mental health,” said Feldman. “I’m honored to build on this momentum and especially grateful to Kathleen Rudasill, whose leadership in 2023 and 2024 as interim dean laid the foundation for this ranking. With the support of our incredible community, we’ll continue to advance education that transforms lives and strengthens communities.”

Feldman took the helm as the School of Education dean on March 17, 2025. Previously, she served as associate dean for teacher education and undergraduate programs at the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences since 2015.

The VCU School of Education’s climb in the rankings was bolstered by a $5 million increase in total research expenditures, reaching $45 million in 2025, and an impressive #5 ranking for average expenditures per faculty member, averaging $1,125 per faculty member in funded research. These figures highlight the school’s growing research prowess, with funded research rising from $40 million in 2024 to $45 million in 2025, alongside per-faculty funding jumping from $975 to $1,125 over the same period.

Earlier this year, the school’s combined online Master’s in Education - including the Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Reading, and Special Education programs - tied for 27th among 320 ranked online master’s programs. The VCU School of Education’s online Master’s in Education in Special Education program ranked 14th nationwide overall by U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Master's in Special Education Programs for 2025 (tie). These recognitions reflect the School of Education’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education that equips educators to make a meaningful impact in schools and communities.

The VCU School of Education, with nearly 1,000 enrolled students and more than 18,000 living alumni, ranks 15th among public graduate schools of education in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings (tie). From tackling educator and counselor shortages to advocating for disability rights to contributing to leadership and workforce development, VCU School of Education is a top-tier leader in educational innovation. Read more in the school’s most recent annual report.

Ten graduate programs at VCU are among the top 50 in their disciplines in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings. 

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