by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Education involves the study of Education, General. 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. Read on to learn the key facts every general education student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general education programs.
Nationwide, general education is a widely-pursued major, with 27,481 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Education Schools ranking analyzes these 733 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general education programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Education develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general education graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general education 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 360 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,931 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,330 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 15,448 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,405 |
People currently working in careers related to general education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 50.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.1% |
| Master’s degree | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 7.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general education prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,718 |
| 4 years | $57,194 |
| 5 years | $63,573 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
With 733 different general education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general education school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
