U.S. News’ 2025-2025 Best Global Universities: NC State #65 in the World, #1 in N.C. in Education and Educational Research

NC State University has been ranked #65 in the world in the education and educational research category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Global Universities Subject Rankings. Among colleges in the U.S., NC State ranks #25 in the education and educational research category, and it is the only university in North Carolina to rank in this category. 

“I am thrilled to see that the incredible and impactful work of our faculty, staff and students is being recognized on a global scale and places us as the best in the state of North Carolina for education and educational research,” said College of Education Dean Paola Sztajn. “The innovative and interdisciplinary work in our College of Education helps connect research to practice to address some of the most pressing problems in education and expand educational access and success for learners, making us one of the leading public colleges of education in the world.”

Released on June 18, 2025, the subject-specific U.S. News rankings are based on academic research performance, including publications and citations, as well as global reputation. 

Between 2018-2023, the time period assessed in U.S. News’ methodology for subject-specific rankings, College of Education researchers published over 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals. During the 2024-25 academic year alone, College of Education researchers published over 190 journal articles, 12 books and 39 book chapters, presented at more than 345 conferences and were quoted in local and national publications including Education Week and The New York Times. 

Earlier this year, the College of Education tied at #1 in North Carolina and #27 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Graduate Schools: Education rankings and was ranked in three of the U.S. News’ education specialty categories: #19 in Higher Education Administration, #20 in Secondary Teacher Education and #30 in Curriculum and Instruction. The college also ranked #20 in the nation in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs rankings.