Education graduates earn $49,113 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,735 and $63,919. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Education as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Education and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Education is a specialized field of study. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $49,113 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 315 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 4,693 students complete it each year. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,461
Median Earnings · 4yr
$49,113
Colleges Offering
315
Graduates / Year
4,693
Avg Net Price / yr
$24,737
How Much Do Education Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Education, a typical graduate earns $49,113, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $35,735 and $63,919, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $32,461 at one year out to $49,113 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$49,113
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$48,652
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Education graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. 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.
$35,73525th pct.
$49,113Median
$63,91975th pct.
Understanding the Cost vs. Return
At median 4-year earnings of $49,113 and an estimated $98,948 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 5.2 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 124 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 4,693 students who complete Education programs each year, the majority (37%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
37%35%
Bachelor's37%
Master's35%
Doctorate18%
What Can You Do With an Education Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Education graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Education Teachers pay the most at $75,350/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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
Not sure where to study Education? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Education graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Education Programs
Education is not the only path through Education: 14 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Education program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Education carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,461 at graduation to $49,113 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $49,113 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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 growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($35,735) and 75th ($63,919) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Education graduates earn?
$49,113 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $35,735 and $63,919, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Education degree?
$32,461 in the first year out. That grows to $49,113 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Education degree?
Education Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $75,350 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Education program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Education bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Education?
315 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Education degree worth it?
$49,113 median earnings four years out against $24,737 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What skills do employers look for in Education graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Education graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Related Education Programs
Other programs in Education. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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