Best colleges for Education
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Education by graduate earnings are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($46,560), University of Minnesota-Duluth ($45,678) and Eastern Oregon University ($44,558), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN): $46,560, 245 graduates a year
- University of Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth, MN): $45,678, 60 graduates a year
- Eastern Oregon University (La Grande, OR): $44,558, 30 graduates a year
- Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, NY): $35,712, 37 graduates a year
- St Petersburg College (St. Petersburg, FL): $35,491, 78 graduates a year
Compare 217 U.S. colleges offering Education by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.
Education programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,491 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 13.99 and the Education Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC).
About Education programs
The Education program, specifically categorized as 'Education, Other', focuses on instructional content that encompasses a variety of teaching methodologies and educational theories. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about facilitating learning and enhancing educational practices in diverse environments. Students may explore various aspects of education, including curriculum development, instructional strategies, and educational research.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. They will gain knowledge in areas like psychology, sociology, and administration, which are vital for effective teaching and training. Coursework may include preparing course materials, conducting research, and supervising student internships.
Top 18 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,560 | 245 | 85% | — | $19,625 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,678 | 60 | 65% | — | $25,978 |
| 3 | Eastern Oregon University La Grande, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,558 | 30 | 43% | — | $25,732 |
| 4 | Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,712 | 37 | 67% | $22,729 | $32,002 |
| 5 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,491 | 78 | 38% | — | $30,870 |
| 6 | California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,646 | 65 | 51% | — | $14,000 |
| 7 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,812 | 85 | 49% | $17,436 | $29,530 |
| 8 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,110 | 63 | 54% | — | $24,250 |
| 9 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,250 | 100 | 68% | — | $12,200 |
| 10 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,095 | 74 | 58% | — | $17,305 |
| 11 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,483 | 66 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Jackson State University Jackson, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,729 | 39 | 51% | — | $42,699 |
| 13 | Endicott College Beverly, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,489 | 44 | 76% | $34,195 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $52,791 | 4 | 69% | — | $13,945 |
| 15 | Westminster College New Wilmington, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,047 | 15 | 65% | $19,686 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,535 | 15 | 68% | — | $25,367 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $37,535 | 142 | 0% | — | $25,367 |
| 18 | Athens State University Athens, AL Public · Bachelor's degree Degree completion | $31,706 | 57 | — | — | $26,250 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butler University Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $62,846 | 81 | 80% | $35,696 | $23,500 |
Specializations within Education
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 13.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 46 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1081, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Education program can pursue various career paths in the educational sector. The job outlook for this field is projected to grow at about 2.1%, with approximately 5,600 annual openings. The median wage for education professionals is around $72,090, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Education
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 13.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 13.99 (Education, Other) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary |
| 25-3099 | Teachers and Instructors, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Supervise students' fieldwork, internship, and research work.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Education program?+
The program focuses on instructional content and teaching methodologies.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and more.
What is the job outlook for education graduates?+
The job outlook is about 2.1% growth with 5,600 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A doctoral or professional degree is typically required for careers in education.
How much do Education graduates earn?+
Education graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,491, College Scorecard (2019); the Education Teachers, Postsecondary occupation pays about $79,350 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Education?+
Education maps to CIP 13.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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