LSU School of Education Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
April 08, 2026
BATON ROUGE, LA - The Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education continues its upward momentum, advancing an impressive 26 spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
The School of Education’s graduate programs rose to No. 104 in 2026, a notable jump from No. 130 in 2025, reflecting continued progress in program quality, research impact, and student success.
These gains are driven not only by LSU’s faculty and students, but also by a powerful alumni network making a difference across the state. Graduates of the School of Education are leading classrooms, school systems, and organizations throughout Louisiana, strengthening the educator workforce, supporting student success, and contributing to healthier, more vibrant communities.
“This recognition speaks to the consistency and focus of our work,” said Roland Mitchell, PhD, dean of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education. “We are building programs that not only perform well in rankings, but more importantly, prepare educators and leaders to make a real difference in Louisiana and beyond.”
The rankings underscore LSU’s commitment to preparing educators and leaders who are equipped to meet workforce needs and create lasting change across the state.
About the LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education
A school of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education, the Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education (SOE) offers undergraduate programs for students who want to pursue a career as a pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teacher or acquire dual certification in both traditional elementary and special education classrooms. In addition, SOE offers 3 graduate certificates, 17 master’s degree programs, 9 EdS certificate programs, and 2 PhD programs in 11 areas of focus. SOE’s focus is not only on preparing highly qualified teachers but also on preparing educational leaders, curriculum studies scholars, educational technology experts, applied researchers, higher education professionals, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors. SOE specializes in scholarly expertise regarding pressing educational and wellness issues across the entire lifespan.