North Carolina·Educational Instruction and Library Occupations·SOC 25-1081

Best Education Teacher, Postsecondary programs in North Carolina, ranked by enrollment

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language.

104 schools in North Carolina run programs that feed this job, graduating 5,846 people a year. The job pays a median of $70,050 in North Carolina across about 2,130 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledProfessorAssistant ProfessorAssociate ProfessorEducation ProfessorEducatorLecturerInstructorFaculty Member
Graduates / yr
5,846
in North Carolina
Median pay · North Carolina
$70,050
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
2,130
people employed
Schools
104
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
47%
across those schools
Median net price
$21,585
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in North Carolina that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

41 programs in North Carolina that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in North Carolina (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own North Carolina page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
12,629
45.0%
62$41,127$25,500
21,111
19.0%
42$41,127$25,500
3558
9.5%
30$41,127$25,500
4247
4.2%
20$37,953$25,000
5162
2.8%
9$45,004$27,000
6111
1.9%
17$41,127$25,500
7103
1.8%
15$43,033$26,044
876
1.3%
5$43,033$26,044
961
1.0%
6$43,033$26,044
1061
1.0%
9$43,033$26,044
1157
1.0%
6$43,033$26,044
12
Education, Othermain feeder
52
0.9%
7$34,646$25,855
1351
0.9%
4$33,086$26,000
1449
0.8%
4$43,033$26,044
1543
0.7%
9$43,033$26,044
1643
0.7%
3$43,033$26,044
1739
0.7%
5$41,127$25,500
1838
0.7%
3$41,127$25,500
1936
0.6%
2$33,086$26,000
2035
0.6%
1$43,033$26,044
2132
0.5%
4$43,033$26,044
2230
0.5%
3$43,033$26,044
2327
0.5%
1$99,851$21,475
2426
0.4%
2$41,127$25,500
2524
0.4%
2$44,139$26,675
2622
0.4%
3$44,139$26,675
2721
0.4%
2$44,139$26,675
2821
0.4%
1$44,139$26,675
2920
0.3%
1$41,127$25,500
3012
0.2%
3$43,033$26,044
3110
0.2%
2$56,738$19,664
328
0.1%
1$44,139$26,675
337
0.1%
2$44,139$26,675
345
0.1%
2$33,915$17,000
355
0.1%
1$44,139$26,675
365
0.1%
1$44,139$26,675
374
0.1%
1$43,033$26,044
382
0.0%
2$43,033$26,044
391
0.0%
1$33,086$26,000
401
0.0%
1$43,033$26,044
411
0.0%
1$43,033$26,044

Top 25 schools in North Carolina

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 35 of the 104 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Appalachian State University
Boone, NC Public · 16 feeder programs
440Elementary Education and Teaching$41,14475%90%
2East Carolina University
Greenville, NC Public · 18 feeder programs
352Elementary Education and Teaching$42,69063%89%
3North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC Public · 13 feeder programs
320Elementary Education and Teaching$44,97985%42%
4Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC Public · 3 feeder programs
257Early Childhood Education and Teaching$23,86531%
5Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
233Early Childhood Education and Teaching$28,49833%
6Alamance Community College
Graham, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
210Early Childhood Education and Teaching$26,10539%
7Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
200Early Childhood Education and Teaching$30,86734%
8University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC Public · 9 feeder programs
197Elementary Education and Teaching$42,78969%80%
9University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC Public · 8 feeder programs
189Elementary Education and Teaching$40,77771%64%
10University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC Public · 11 feeder programs
188Early Childhood Education and Teaching$43,34256%89%
11Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC Public · 10 feeder programs
154Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching$40,59460%82%
12University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
132Early Childhood Education and Teaching$29,89791%15%
13James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
129Early Childhood Education and Teaching$26,77548%
14Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
110Early Childhood Education and Teaching$32,14748%
15Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
103Early Childhood Education and Teaching35%
16Gardner - Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs
100Elementary Education and Teaching$39,85055%$22,86377%
17Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
97Early Childhood Education and Teaching$31,21531%
18Rowan - Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
91Early Childhood Education and Teaching$24,49735%
19Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
90Early Childhood Education and Teaching24%
20High Point University
High Point, NC Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs
85Educational Evaluation and Research74%$37,07275%
21Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC Public · 2 feeder programs
84Early Childhood Education and Teaching32%
22Beaufort County Community College
Washington, NC Public · 1 feeder programs
81Early Childhood Education and Teaching48%
23Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC Private not-for-profit · 10 feeder programs
81Health Professions Education61%$23,33187%
24North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC Public · 3 feeder programs
79Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching$46,77342%87%
25University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC Public · 8 feeder programs
64Elementary Education and Teaching$42,97344%93%

All 104 schools in North Carolina

Every school in North Carolina with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in North Carolina that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
Appalachian State UniversityBoonePublic44016
East Carolina UniversityGreenvillePublic35218
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleighPublic32013
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlottePublic2573
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleighPublic2331
Alamance Community CollegeGrahamPublic2102
Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-SalemPublic2002
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlottePublic1979
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonPublic1898
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroPublic18811
Western Carolina UniversityCullowheePublic15410
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillPublic1322
James Sprunt Community CollegeKenansvillePublic1292
Stanly Community CollegeAlbemarlePublic1102
Pitt Community CollegeWintervillePublic1031

What education teachers, postsecondary earn in North Carolina

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in North Carolina
$70,050
Mean annual
$73,220
Jobs in state
2,130
What the range looks like
10th pct$41,030Median$70,05090th pct$105,820
Versus the national median
-7.0%

U.S. median $75,350. North Carolina pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
1.10×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in North Carolina

Wilmington, NC
$106,070median
100 jobs
Greensboro-High Point, NC
$75,150median
260 jobs
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
$69,750median
380 jobs
Raleigh-Cary, NC
$56,770median
310 jobs
Fayetteville, NC
$66,560median
40 jobs
Winston-Salem, NC
$66,160median
100 jobs
Asheville, NC
$62,790median
50 jobs
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
avg
150 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings per year
5,600
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
1,600
74,900 → 76,500
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Education Teachers, Postsecondary page.

How to become a Education Teacher, Postsecondary

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience needed
Less than 5 years

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Top skills

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesActive LearningWriting

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in North Carolina

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Education Teachers, Postsecondary25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 13.0101Education, General
  • 13.0201Bilingual and Multilingual Education
  • 13.0202Multicultural Education
  • 13.0203Indian/Native American Education
  • 13.0299Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education, Other
  • 13.0301Curriculum and Instruction
  • 13.0601Educational Evaluation and Research
  • 13.0603Educational Statistics and Research Methods
  • 13.0604Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement
  • 13.0607Learning Sciences
  • 13.0699Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other
  • 13.0901Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
  • 13.1005Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
  • 13.1006Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • 13.1007Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities
  • 13.1008Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments
  • 13.1009Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness
  • 13.1011Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
  • 13.1012Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
  • 13.1013Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
  • 13.1014Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed
  • 13.1015Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
  • 13.1016Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • 13.1017Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs
  • 13.1018Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs

Common questions

Answers for people weighing education teachers, postsecondary programs in North Carolina.

What degree do you need to become an Education Teacher, Postsecondary?+

Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Early Childhood Education and Teaching, which awarded 2,629 degrees in North Carolina in 2024-25, 45.0% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming an Education Teacher, Postsecondary?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 41 programs to this occupation. The largest are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Education, Curriculum and Instruction, plus 6 more. Together they graduate about 5,846 people a year in North Carolina.

How much do education teachers, postsecondary earn in North Carolina?+

The median is $70,050 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 7.0% below the U.S. median of $75,350. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for education teachers, postsecondary growing?+

BLS projects a +2.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 5,600 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in North Carolina?+

104 institutions in North Carolina reported graduates from at least one of the 41 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do education teachers, postsecondary work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Education Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1081.

Education Teachers, Postsecondary in other statesUtahCaliforniaNew YorkArizonaTexasIndianaGeorgiaPennsylvania

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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