Best institutions to study Learning Sciences
A program that focuses on the multiple aspects of learning in different environments, including specific aspects of the content to be mastered, cognitive aspects of the student, the instructional environment and materials, the preparation and activities of the instructor, socio-cultural and linguistic components, and assessment outcomes.
38 U.S. institutions graduated 4,040 Learning Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0607, a specialization of Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06), and leads most directly to the Training and Development Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-3131).
About Learning Sciences programs
A program that focuses on the multiple aspects of learning in different environments, including specific aspects of the content to be mastered, cognitive aspects of the student, the instructional environment and materials, the preparation and activities of the instructor, socio-cultural and linguistic components, and assessment outcomes. Includes instruction in the social, organizational, and cultural dynamics of learning; learning and cognition; learning strategies; educational psychology; educational testing and measurement; instructional design and technology; and statistical design of educational research.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Learning Sciences program, focusing on Educational Assessment, explores the various elements that influence learning across different environments. It addresses cognitive aspects of students, instructional materials, and socio-cultural components, making it ideal for those interested in understanding and enhancing educational practices. This program is suited for individuals passionate about improving learning outcomes and instructional effectiveness.
Students in this program gain expertise in learning strategies, educational psychology, and instructional design. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, equipping graduates with the skills needed to analyze and improve educational practices.
Credentials awarded
What Learning Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,894 graduates / yr · 8 institutions72%
- Master's degree998 graduates / yr · 23 institutions25%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship94 graduates / yr · 7 institutions2.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate40 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.0%
- Post-master's certificate14 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.3%
Graduates over time
Learning Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 53 |
| 2014 | 78 |
| 2015 | 98 |
| 2016 | 282 |
| 2017 | 439 |
| 2018 | 496 |
| 2019 | 691 |
| 2020 | 907 |
| 2021 | 1,539 |
| 2022 | 2,447 |
| 2023 | 2,850 |
| 2024 | 4,044 |
| 2025 | 4,040 |
Top 38 institutions for Learning Sciences, 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 earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 3,277 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 315 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 79 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 76 | 68% | — | $26,457 |
| 5 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 49 | 33% | — | — |
| 6 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 43 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 23 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 8 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 15 | 81% | — | — |
| 9 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 55% | — | — |
| 10 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 13 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 11 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 11 | 30% | $18,904 | — |
| 12 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 13 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 10 | 88% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OKPublicMaster's | 10 | 37% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 85% | — | — |
| 16 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 54% | — | — |
| 17 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 60% | $17,205 | — |
| 18 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 19 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 6 | 80% | — | — |
| 20 | Athens State University Athens, ALPublicMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 74% | — | — |
| 22 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 69% | — | — |
| 23 | Wilson College Chambersburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 48% | $18,586 | — |
| 24 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicDoctoral | 5 | 87% | — | — |
| 25 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 26 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 4 | 75% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 85% | — | — |
| 28 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicMaster's | 4 | 80% | — | — |
| 29 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicBachelor's | 3 | 45% | — | — |
| 30 | Morningside University Sioux City, IAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 50% | $22,816 | — |
| 31 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 59% | $23,704 | — |
| 32 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor's | 2 | 73% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, ARPublicMaster's | 2 | 54% | — | — |
| 34 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 35 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicDoctoral | 1 | 62% | — | — |
| 36 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 1 | 11% | $26,445 | $33,086 |
| 37 | Winona State University Winona, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 57% | — | — |
| 38 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 45% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Educational Assessment field (CIP 13.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 24 states
Where Learning Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Assessment programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-3131, Training and Development Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Learning Sciences program can pursue careers as Training and Development Managers, with an outlook that is faster than average. The field anticipates 3,800 annual openings, with a median wage of $127,090, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0607
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Training and Development Managersprimary SOC 11-3131 | $133,000 | +5.8% Faster than average | ~3,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other SOC 25-9099 | $50,890 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~12,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other SOC 25-1069 | $72,990 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~1,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Learning Sciences 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
- Analyze training needs to develop new training programs or modify and improve existing programs.
- Evaluate instructor performance and the effectiveness of training programs, providing recommendations for improvement.
- Plan, develop, and provide training and staff development programs, using knowledge of the effectiveness of methods such as classroom training, demonstrations, on-the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Confer with management and conduct surveys to identify training needs based on projected production processes, changes, and other factors.
- Conduct orientation sessions and arrange on-the-job training for new hires.
- Train instructors and supervisors in techniques and skills for training and dealing with employees.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Assessment specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06).
- Educational Evaluation and ResearchCIP 13.0601749 graduates / yr56 institutions
- Educational Statistics and Research MethodsCIP 13.0603445 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchCIP 13.0699308 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Testing, and MeasurementCIP 13.0604262 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Institutional ResearchCIP 13.0608limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's degrees, and Postbaccalaureate certificates.
What skills will I develop in the Learning Sciences program?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Training and Development Managers or in various educational roles.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with 3,800 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Learning Sciences?+
Learning Sciences is CIP 13.0607 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the multiple aspects of learning in different environments, including specific aspects of the content to be mastered, cognitive aspects of the student, the instructional environment and materials, the preparation and activities of the instructor, socio-cultural and linguistic components, and assessment outcomes. Includes instruction in the social, organizational, and cultural dynamics of learning; learning and cognition; learning strategies; educational psychology; educational testing and measurement; instructional design and technology; and statistical design of educational research.
How many institutions offer Learning Sciences programs?+
38 U.S. institutions reported Learning Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 4,040 credentials in the year. That is 69.6% of all Educational Assessment graduates.
How much do Learning Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Training and Development Managers occupation, which Learning Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $133,000 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Educational Assessment field report median earnings of $33,086 one year after graduation (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.
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