University of Montevallo Moves Up in National Rankings for Online Master’s in Education Programs

April 6, 2026

The University of Montevallo’s online graduate education programs in the College of Education and Human Development have climbed in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs national rankings.

Montevallo’s excellence in online graduate education programs has been recognized with a ranking of 50 nationally, moving up from 54th in 2025. Additionally, UM has ranked in the top three among Alabama institutions.

“We are very proud of our consistent national ranking for graduate programs in education,” said Dr. Courtney Bentley, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at UM. “We strive to ensure these online advanced programs are in fact the same quality and ‘high touch’ for which the University is so well reputed at the undergraduate level.”

Assessing 333 schools – 10 of which did not receive rankings – U.S. News & World Report ranked colleges’ and universities’ online graduate education programs by five weighted categories:

• Engagement (30%): Quality online graduate education programs grant aspiring teachers and educational administrators opportunities to readily interact with their instructors and classmates
• Faculty credentials and training (20%): Strong online programs employ instructors with academic credentials that mirror those of instructors for campus-based programs, and they have the resources to train these instructors to teach distance learners
• Peer assessment (20%): A survey of high-ranking academic officials in education helps account for intangible factors affecting program quality that statistics don’t capture
• Services and technologies (20%): Programs that incorporate diverse online learning technologies allow greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance
• Student excellence (10%): Student bodies entering with proven aptitudes, ambitions and accomplishments can handle the demands of rigorous coursework

U.S. News selects factors, known as ranking indicators, to assess each program in these categories. A program’s score for each ranking indicator is calculated using data that the program reported to U.S. News in a statistical survey and a peer assessment survey.

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities.

UM’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) offers online programs in applied instruction, elementary education, secondary education, P-12 education and instructional leadership. For more information, visit montevallo.edu/education-and-human-development.