Key takeaways:
- The right education domain names can influence your online credibility and search engine visibility.
- While .edu is a classic choice, many new educational TLDs prove to be excellent options for relevant initiatives.
- Choose your domain and TLD carefully to avoid migrations and boost your educational mission from day one.
A top-level domain (TLD) or domain extension is the last segment of a domain name—the part that comes after the final dot. For example, in google.com, .com is the TLD. TLDs categorize websites, giving users a clue about the site’s purpose, origin, or industry.
Your domain extension can make a lasting first impression for your education brand, If you’re looking to make your mark there, education domain names like .education, .school, .academy, and .edu are your best choices.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best domain extensions for education, specifically:
- What are education TLDs and why do they matter?
- Which education TLDs are best for my site?
- Who can use .edu and other traditional education TLDs?
- How can you register education TLDs?
- Which TLD is right for your education site?
- Tips for choosing a domain name for your education site
- Secure your education TLD now with Network Solutions
What are education domain names and why do they matter?
Education top-level domains (TLDs) are domain extensions for websites that belong to educational services and entities. These range from highly restricted, prestigious TLDs like .edu to more broadly available and descriptive options such as .school, .academy, and .courses.
As of October 2025, there have been more than 210,000 live .edu domains, 30,000 .education domains, and 4,000,000 .online domains. These domains indicate that a website is intended for educational, instructional, or academic purposes.
Which education domain extensions are best for my site?
The best TLD for your education site depends on your organization’s type, accreditation status, and goals. Here’s an overview of education TLDs and their applications.
| TLD | Best for | Cost | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .edu | Accredited U.S. universities and colleges | Variable, higher registration fees | Strict eligibility, only for accredited institutions in the U.S. |
| .org | Nonprofit schools, departments, PTAs, foundations, and research centers | Affordable | High-trust, mission-driven, great for institutional/department sites |
| .school | K-12 schools, private tutors, online learning platforms | Affordable | Ideal for schools, schools offering courses or services |
| .academy | Specialized training, skill development | Moderate to high | Great for non-degree institutions with specialized learning |
| .college | Colleges, junior colleges, pre-college programs | Moderate to high | Ideal for colleges or community colleges |
| .university | Higher education institutions granting degrees | Moderate to high | Trusted, great for globally recognized institutions |
| .courses | Online course platforms, training providers | Low to moderate | Highly descriptive, ideal for course-focused platforms |
| .study | Study guides, tutoring services, and academic resources | Low | Broad, can be used for any study-related content or tutoring |
| .institute | Research institutes, professional development centers | Low to moderate | Perfect for research and professional development institutions |
| .training | Vocational training, corporate training, certification programs | Moderate | Ideal for training-based organizations |
| .education | General educational content, e-learning platforms | Moderate to high | Broad, great for any educational initiative |
| .k12 | Elementary and secondary schools | Low | Directly aligned with K-12 education services |
| .guru | Tutors, coaches, test prep, subject-matter experts, learning blogs | Moderate | Memorable and topic-forward; best for personal brands or specialty programs |
| .online | Online programs, LMS microsites, course catalogs, bootcamps, virtual schools | Moderate | Flexible, global; perfect when “online” is your core offer |
- .edu: Restricted almost entirely to accredited U.S. colleges and universities that meet strict governmental criteria
- .org: Commonly used by educational groups and community organizations
- .school: A flexible domain well-suited for individual schools or online learning platforms
- .academy: Good for institutions with specialized training or vocational education.
- .college: Indicates colleges and pre-college programs
- .university: Excellent for higher education institutions that grant degrees
- .courses: Fit for online courses or workshop platforms
- .study: Ideal for tutoring, research resources, or general educational websites
- .institute: Well-suited for academic or specialized research centers
- .training: Fit for vocational training programs or certification bodies.
- .education: Broad TLD for educational content, resource, or service.
- .k12: A specific TLD for elementary and secondary schools.
- .guru: Great for tutors, coaching, and niche expertise sites
- .online: Built for virtual programs and course delivery; signals remote/anywhere learning at a glance
For many educational entities that don’t qualify for .edu, other newer, more specific education TLDs like .education or .academy are worth considering when fitting.
Who can use .EDU and other traditional education TLDs?
The .edu domain is a sponsored TLD administered by EDUCAUSE. It is specifically intended for U.S. higher education institutions. To qualify for a .edu domain, an institution must meet the following criteria.
- Institutional accreditation. The institution must be accredited by an agency recognized by and listed by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Postsecondary education. It must be a degree-granting institution of higher education.
- Non-profit. Institutions must generally be non-profit, although some exceptions exist for for-profit institutions that meet specific criteria.
Eligibility requirements for .EDU, AC.UK, and other restricted domains
- .edu: As detailed above, strict accreditation and postsecondary status are required in the U.S.
- .ac.uk: Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), a not-for-profit UK organization, sets specific criteria for academic institutions in the United Kingdom, requiring recognized educational status.
- Other country-specific education TLDs: Many countries have similar restricted TLDs (e.g., .edu.au in Australia, .ac.in in India) with their own unique requirements, such as government recognition or national accreditation bodies.
Can individuals or online-only schools use .EDU?
Individuals or typical online-only schools that are not accredited postsecondary institutions cannot use a .edu domain. The .edu TLD is reserved for established, accredited U.S. universities and colleges. While an individual tutor or a commercial online course platform might offer educational content, they do not meet the strict requirements for a .edu domain.
How to register your education TLDs
You can register many generic education TLDs through any reputable domain registrar, such as Network Solutions. We offer various education-specific TLDs, where you can easily search for availability and register your desired education domain directly.
However, the process differs for restricted domains like .edu or country-specific academic TLDs. Here’s how you register a restricted domain like .edu, with additional steps and links specific to registering with Network Solutions:
- Identify the registry. First, determine the specific registry responsible for that TLD. It’s EDUCAUSE for .edu and JISC for .ac.uk.
- Review eligibility requirements. Visit the registry’s official website for its eligibility criteria; they’re often very detailed and non-negotiable.
- Prepare documentation. Gather all documentation to prove your institution’s accreditation or other required qualifications.
- Follow the application process. The registry process may involve submitting forms and documentation. Afterward, wait for approval before you can register through a registrar.
- Visit the Network Solutions website. Go to NetworkSolutions.com.
- Search for your education domain name. Use the Domain Name Search tool to find your domain name.
- Proceed to checkout. If your desired domain is available, add it to your cart.
- Choose your registration term. Select how long you want to register the domain and explore other offerings like web hosting or Domain Privacy + Protection.
- Enter your payment information. Provide the necessary payment details to finalize your purchase.
Note: For more details, refer to ‘How to Register a Domain Name’ (2025 Guide).
Tips for choosing a domain name for your education site
Aside from TLDs, the actual domain name is important for branding, memorability, and searchability. Here are some tips when choosing education TLDs:
- Keep it short and memorable. Shorter names are easier to type, remember, and share.
- Make it relevant. For example, if you’re a tutoring service, math-tutor.study is clearer than random-help.com.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers. While sometimes necessary, they can make a domain harder to recall and prone to typos.
- Check for availability. Always prepare several alternatives, in case your first choice isn’t available. You can check Network Solutions’ AI Domain Generator for alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
No, the .edu TLD is strictly for accredited postsecondary educational institutions in the United States.
Yes, since they’re more associated with non-commercial, mission-driven organizations.
Generic top-level domains like .com or .org are often the most affordable. However, newer education-specific TLDs like .education or .study are options worth considering.
You cannot directly change your domain extension once it has been registered. To use a different one, you must register the new domain name and then set up a redirect from your old domain to the new one. For more information, check out our guide to changing your domain name.
A .edu domain indicates qualification and accreditation, but the quality of education will be determined by other factors (e.g., curriculum and teaching staff).
A .edu domain enhances an institution’s credibility as a legitimate and accredited academic entity.
Secure your education TLD now with Network Solutions
Whether you’re an accredited university or a dedicated tutor, the right TLD enhances your credibility and helps your audience find you. To help you start, Network Solutions offers a wide array of education TLDs, including .education, .school, .academy, .courses, .study, and many more.
With competitive pricing and robust domain management tools, we can help you secure the right domain for your educational platform. Don’t let your perfect domain slip away—search and register your education TLD now.
