Specialization

Social Education

Social Education graduates earn $60,360 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,239 and $75,787. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Social Education

Social Education is a focused area of study within Education. Graduates typically earn around $60,360 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 74 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 959 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$33,915
Median Earnings · 4yr
$60,360
Colleges Offering
74
Graduates / Year
959
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,036

How Much Do Social Education Graduates Earn?

Social Education graduates earn $60,360 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,239 and $75,787. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $33,915 climbs to $60,360 by year four.

$33,915
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$60,360
4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$57,847
4-Year Institutional Median

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


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Social Education 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 $60,360 and an estimated $88,144 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.

Based on outcomes from 13 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 959 students who complete Social Education programs each year, the majority (49%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 49%
Master's 33%
Doctorate 12%

What Can You Do With a Social Education Degree?

Social Education 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 Social Education

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Social Education 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 University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA · Public 203 76.4% $14,304 $67,699
2 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 85 9% $12,548 $82,511
3 University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA · Public 70 65.8% $17,890 $68,396
4 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public 51 45.2% $17,354 $73,792
5 Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit 40 7.7% $29,167 $89,363
6 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 36 5.4% $28,699 $111,371
7 Hope International University Fullerton, CA · Nonprofit 31 33% $29,310 $49,697
8 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 27 81.6% $36,079 $71,530
9 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ · Public 26 58.2% $24,406 $74,479
10 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT · Nonprofit 23 16.5% $30,177 $73,897
11 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public 20 85.3% $25,648 $54,810
12 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ · Public 17 89.6% $14,158 $54,384
13 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI · Public 17 90.7% $15,014 $54,990
14 Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA · Nonprofit 17 100% $24,588 $54,869
15 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT · Public 16 86% $16,200 $67,170
16 University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM · Public 15 95.2% $15,489 $44,792
17 California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 14 91.3% $3,967 $59,211
18 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit 14 45.9% $38,793 $79,164
19 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public 12 78.1% $25,346 $69,738
20 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 12 4% $21,590 $102,491

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

Social Education Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Social Education shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $60,360 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $33,915 at graduation to $60,360 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
  • 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.
  • High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($29,239) and 75th ($75,787) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Social Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Social Education graduates earn?
Social Education graduates earn a national median of $60,360 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,239 and $75,787. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Social Education degree?
One year after graduation, Social Education degree holders earn a median of $33,915. That climbs to $60,360 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Social Education degree?
Social Education 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 Social Education program take?
A Social Education bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Social Education?
74 colleges and universities in the United States offer Social Education programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Social Education degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $60,360 and an average net price of roughly $22,036/yr, a Social Education 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 Social Education and Education?
Social Education is a focused concentration within the broader Education field. The Education major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Social Education-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 Social Education graduates?
Employers hiring Social Education 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.
Is graduate school worth it for Social Education graduates?
With a median salary of $60,360, graduate study in Social Education can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.

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