by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Learning Sciences explores 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. 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. Examples: [Learning Sciences Research], [Learning Sciences And Policy]. Continue reading for the important information every learning sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering learning sciences programs.
In the U.S., learning sciences draws strong interest, with 4,044 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Learning Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for learning sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of learning sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Learning Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations learning sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a learning sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a learning sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several learning sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,959 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 991 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 94 |
People currently working in careers related to learning sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 68.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.1% |
| Master’s degree | 12.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in learning sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in learning sciences opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to learning sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to learning sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | 638,385 | -0.5% |
| Training and Development Managers | 394,938 | -0.4% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of learning sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,037 |
| 4 years | $57,700 |
| 5 years | $64,541 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for learning sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers learning sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Training and Development Managers | $139,524 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $65,582 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $47,617 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 37 different learning sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased learning sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in learning sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Educational Evaluation and Research | 789 |
| Educational Statistics and Research Methods | 351 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other | 298 |
| Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement | 206 |
| Institutional Research | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
