Best colleges for Education
A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.
731 U.S. institutions graduated 26,244 Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0101, a specialization of Education (CIP 13.01), and leads most directly to the Education Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1081).
About Education programs
A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Education program, specifically focusing on General Education, is designed for individuals interested in the theory and practice of teaching and learning. This program covers essential topics such as educational psychology, planning and administration of educational activities, and school safety, making it ideal for those looking to make a positive impact in educational settings.
Students in the Education program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes the study of psychology, sociology, and educational training, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to support diverse learning environments.
Credentials awarded
What Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree12,495 graduates / yr · 346 institutions48%
- Bachelor's degree6,881 graduates / yr · 271 institutions26%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2,268 graduates / yr · 83 institutions8.6%
- Associate's degree2,073 graduates / yr · 130 institutions7.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year740 graduates / yr · 32 institutions2.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate661 graduates / yr · 58 institutions2.5%
- Post-master's certificate483 graduates / yr · 35 institutions1.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years351 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.3%
- Doctor's degree - other181 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years81 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice28 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 36,657 |
| 2013 | 33,509 |
| 2014 | 31,261 |
| 2015 | 29,541 |
| 2016 | 29,417 |
| 2017 | 31,343 |
| 2018 | 30,877 |
| 2019 | 30,421 |
| 2020 | 29,275 |
| 2021 | 29,231 |
| 2022 | 28,645 |
| 2023 | 27,179 |
| 2024 | 26,774 |
| 2025 | 26,244 |
Top 50 institutions for Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1,131 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 2 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 632 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Teachers College of San Joaquin Stockton, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 502 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Northcentral University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 443 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralAssociate'sPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 326 | 65% | $28,911 | $25,194 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 302 | 84% | — | — |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 295 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 8 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 279 | 50% | — | — |
| 9 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 269 | 43% | — | — |
| 10 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 264 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 11 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 258 | 61% | — | — |
| 12 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor's | 253 | 69% | — | — |
| 13 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor's | 248 | 53% | — | — |
| 14 | Ohio State University Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 240 | 88% | — | — |
| 15 | Purdue University West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 237 | 83% | — | $49,761 |
| 16 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 236 | 87% | — | $26,106 |
| 17 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 220 | 85% | — | — |
| 18 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 218 | 11% | $26,445 | $34,704 |
| 19 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 214 | 43% | $34,565 | — |
| 20 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 206 | 76% | — | — |
| 21 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 197 | 93% | — | — |
| 22 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 196 | — | — | — |
| 23 | University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 190 | 33% | — | — |
| 24 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 184 | 83% | — | — |
| 25 | Niagara University Niagara University, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 181 | 75% | $17,048 | — |
| 26 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 181 | 41% | — | $39,046 |
| 27 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 177 | 66% | $18,163 | — |
| 28 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 172 | 49% | — | — |
| 29 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicMaster's | 170 | 48% | — | — |
| 30 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 169 | 49% | — | — |
| 31 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 163 | 40% | — | $26,848 |
| 32 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 161 | 77% | $48,795 | — |
| 33 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 156 | 62% | $26,940 | — |
| 34 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 151 | 76% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 148 | 85% | — | $44,201 |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 146 | 49% | — | $43,867 |
| 37 | Western Oregon University Monmouth, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 145 | 47% | — | $43,879 |
| 38 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DCPublicAssociate's | 144 | 33% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 140 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 40 | Central State University Wilberforce, OHPublicBachelor's | 139 | 23% | — | — |
| 41 | California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CAPublicMaster's | 138 | 50% | — | — |
| 42 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 138 | 81% | — | $44,705 |
| 43 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 136 | 74% | — | — |
| 44 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 133 | 86% | — | — |
| 45 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 132 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 46 | Belhaven University Jackson, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 131 | 49% | $22,476 | — |
| 47 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 130 | 54% | — | $57,410 |
| 48 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicMaster's | 128 | 80% | — | — |
| 49 | Goucher College Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 121 | 57% | $22,667 | — |
| 50 | University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 121 | 52% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Education field (CIP 13.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 56 states & territories
Where Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Education programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1081, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Education program can pursue careers as postsecondary education teachers, among other roles. The job outlook for education-related positions is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 5,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $72,090, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Education Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
SOC 25-9042 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 25-9043 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, or Associate's degree in Education.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become a postsecondary education teacher or explore other education-related roles.
What is the job outlook for education graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1%.
What is the CIP code for Education?+
Education is CIP 13.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Education (CIP 13.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the general theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, and the social foundations of education.
How many institutions offer Education programs?+
731 U.S. institutions reported Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 56 states & territories, awarding 26,244 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Education graduates.
How much do Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Education Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,350 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Education field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,392, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Education graduates, so its figures match the Education program page.
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