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Education
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Education
Teaching, curriculum design, and school leadership degrees that lead directly to K-12 classrooms, special education, and administration careers in schools. Graduates earn a national median of $50,499 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 2,359 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 317,102 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $42,204
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $50,499
- Colleges Offering
- 2,359
- Graduates / Year
- 317,102
- Specializations
- 15
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $15,222
Is a Education Degree Right for You?
$50,499
Median earnings · 4yr
+5.8%
10yr job growth
15
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $50,499 after 4 years. Against an estimated $60,888 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.0 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Education Majors Earn?
Education graduates start at a median $42,204 one year out and reach $50,499 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 2,359 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$42,204
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$50,499
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$49,036
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Education specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $78,359/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $42,259/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$42,259
Lowest
$50,499
Median
$78,359
Highest
What Can You Do With an Education Degree?
Career Paths for Education Graduates
Education connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Training and Development Managers leads in median earnings at $133,000/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Training and Development Managers
Bachelor's degree
$133,000
↗ +5.8% growth
Health Specialties Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$107,310
↗ +17.3% growth
Education Administrator
Master's degree
$105,870
↘ -1.5% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +8.5% growth
Postsecondary Education Administrator
Master's degree
$104,590
↗ +1.7% growth
Earth Science Professors
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,170
↗ +2.6% growth
Management Analyst
Bachelor's degree
$101,860
↗ +8.8% growth
Physics Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$100,310
↗ +2.5% growth
Education Specializations
Education breaks into 15 specializations. Earnings range widely from $42,259 to $78,359 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Education
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Education graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit
Acceptance
78.9%
Net price/yr
$22,472
Earnings 10yr
$42,186
Grad rate
42%
2
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
3
Ball State University
Muncie, IN · Public
Acceptance
85.5%
Net price/yr
$14,940
Earnings 10yr
$51,833
Grad rate
61%
4
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX · Public
Acceptance
86.4%
Net price/yr
$9,366
Earnings 10yr
$49,652
Grad rate
32%
5
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
98.8%
Net price/yr
$14,107
Earnings 10yr
$45,036
Grad rate
45%
6
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · Public
Acceptance
82.3%
Net price/yr
$12,366
Earnings 10yr
$42,617
Grad rate
42%
7
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA · Public
Acceptance
51.6%
Net price/yr
$12,786
Earnings 10yr
$49,587
Grad rate
49%
8
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance
40.1%
Net price/yr
$10,411
Earnings 10yr
$58,308
Grad rate
55%
9
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL · Public
Acceptance
42.7%
Net price/yr
$12,684
Earnings 10yr
$44,232
Grad rate
23%
10
CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY · Public
Acceptance
53.8%
Net price/yr
$2,984
Earnings 10yr
$63,163
Grad rate
46%
11
Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO · Public
Acceptance
86.1%
Net price/yr
$16,244
Earnings 10yr
$47,885
Grad rate
50%
12
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
Acceptance
87.5%
Net price/yr
$17,915
Earnings 10yr
$76,343
Grad rate
74%
13
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.6%
Net price/yr
$14,158
Earnings 10yr
$54,384
Grad rate
57%
14
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.8%
Net price/yr
$32,740
Earnings 10yr
$92,498
Grad rate
88%
15
National Louis University
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
95.1%
Net price/yr
$12,641
Earnings 10yr
$45,799
Grad rate
47%
16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
Acceptance
79.6%
Net price/yr
$15,435
Earnings 10yr
$57,289
Grad rate
60%
17
Illinois State University
Normal, IL · Public
Acceptance
88.2%
Net price/yr
$19,398
Earnings 10yr
$62,117
Grad rate
70%
18
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
19
CUNY Queens College
Queens, NY · Public
Acceptance
64.4%
Net price/yr
$4,195
Earnings 10yr
$62,763
Grad rate
45%
20
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public
Acceptance
87.9%
Net price/yr
$15,267
Earnings 10yr
$53,236
Grad rate
49%
Ranked by number of Education graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Education Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Education degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Education degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Education Degree: Pros & Cons
Education carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 2 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +17.3% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Health Specialties Teachers.
- Wide availability Offered at 2,359 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,499 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 317,102 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Education graduates earn?
Education graduates earn a national median of $50,499 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Education degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Education degree holders is $42,204 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Education degree?
Education degree holders work in a range of careers. Training and Development Managers is one of the top roles by median wage ($133,000/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Education?
2,359 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Education, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Education degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $50,499 and an average net price of roughly $15,222/yr across institutions offering this major, a Education degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Education degree?
A bachelor's degree in Education typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Education graduates?
Employers hiring Education graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, data analysis, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Employers in government, nonprofit, and research roles look for experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, and statistical analysis.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Education graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Education graduates is moderate, with an average of +5.7% projected growth across related occupations. Health Specialties Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +17.3%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
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The Most Common Majors vs the Most Lucrative
The five most-awarded majors graduate 2.9 million students a year, yet only one of them cracks the top five by pay. Popularity and paychecks barely overlap.
- Most common majors
- Major earnings
- Completions
- Popular degrees
- Major pay gap
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
Continue Exploring
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Majors
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Programs
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Careers
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