Specialization

Education, General

Education, General graduates earn $49,808 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,641 and $60,792. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Education, General

Education, General is a focused area of study within Education. Graduates typically earn around $49,808 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 850 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 27,845 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$38,981
Median Earnings · 4yr
$49,808
Colleges Offering
850
Graduates / Year
27,845
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,472

How Much Do Education, General Graduates Earn?

Education, General graduates earn $49,808 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,641 and $60,792.

$38,981
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$49,808
4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$49,250
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Education, General graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $49,808 and an estimated $69,888 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.5 years.

Based on outcomes from 414 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 27,845 students who complete Education, General programs each year, the majority (52%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 52%
Bachelor's 26%
Doctorate 8%

What Can You Do With an Education, General Degree?

Education, General connects to 1 occupations in the job market. Education Teachers leads at $75,350/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +2.1% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$75,350
$54K $98K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 5,600 openings/yr 61K employed nationally
Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Active Listening Instructing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Top Colleges for Education, General

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Education, General students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit 663 6.4% $18,809 $87,555
2 University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public 339 72.2% $15,649 $57,010
3 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 308 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
4 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA · Public 299 90.8% $13,886 $57,897
5 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 293 9% $12,548 $82,511
6 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX · Public 289 99.9% $9,403 $50,923
7 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public 282 60.6% $17,339 $60,409
8 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public 272 28.6% $14,251 $80,735
9 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX · Public 263 72.7% $19,070 $62,454
10 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX · Public 259 86.8% $10,836 $57,131
11 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public 255 42.4% $14,355 $81,054
12 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI · Public 247 83% $16,317 $56,118
13 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit 245 73.2% $30,371 $59,209
14 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA · Public 240 71.5% $23,322 $69,954
15 Belhaven University Jackson, MS · Nonprofit 233 49.8% $15,676 $46,440
16 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit 221 99% $29,357 $44,813
17 California Baptist University Riverside, CA · Nonprofit 211 84.9% $26,285 $61,504
18 Texas Woman's University Denton, TX · Public 197 96.1% $11,963 $56,544
19 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS · Public 192 90.3% $12,569 $48,928
20 University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public 183 33% $16,109 $74,915

Ranked by Education, General graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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, General program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Education, General Degree: Pros & Cons

Education, General carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS
  • Wide availability Offered at 850 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
  • Modest median earnings Four-year median of $49,808 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Slow job growth Top related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.

Education, General Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Education, General graduates earn?
Education, General graduates earn a national median of $49,808 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,641 and $60,792. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Education, General degree?
One year after graduation, Education, General degree holders earn a median of $38,981. That climbs to $49,808 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Education, General degree?
Education, General degree holders pursue careers including Education Teachers, which pays a median of $75,350/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Education, General program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Education, General students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Education, General?
850 colleges and universities in the United States offer Education, General programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Education, General degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $49,808 and an average net price of roughly $17,472/yr, a Education, General degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Education, General and Education?
Education, General is a focused concentration within the broader Education field. The Education major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Education, General-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Education, General graduates?
Employers hiring Education, General graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.

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