by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying College/Postsecondary/University Teaching involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach At A Postsecondary Institution. Includes Instruction In Andragogy, Assessment, Classroom Motivation, Instructional Design And Technology, Learner-Centered Teaching, Learning Science, Syllabus Construction, And Teaching Critical Thinking. Examples: [University And College Teaching]. Continue reading for the important information every college/postsecondary/university teaching major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering college/postsecondary/university teaching programs.
Across the country, college/postsecondary/university teaching draws strong interest, with 98 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best College/Postsecondary/University Teaching Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for college/postsecondary/university teaching students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of college/postsecondary/university teaching programs later in this article.
Programs in College/Postsecondary/University Teaching build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations college/postsecondary/university teaching graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a college/postsecondary/university teaching program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a college/postsecondary/university teaching major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several college/postsecondary/university teaching 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 94 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to college/postsecondary/university teaching tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 89.8% |
| Master’s degree | 9.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| 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 college/postsecondary/university teaching careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in college/postsecondary/university teaching prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to college/postsecondary/university teaching.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to college/postsecondary/university teaching.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of college/postsecondary/university teaching graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,857 |
| 4 years | $43,846 |
| 5 years | $48,879 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for college/postsecondary/university teaching graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers college/postsecondary/university teaching grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
With 14 different college/postsecondary/university teaching programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased college/postsecondary/university teaching school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in college/postsecondary/university teaching, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
