by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 740 U.S. colleges awarded 26,982 degrees and certificates in General Education. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 408 schools in its 2027 Best General Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $56,771 one year after completing, rising to $65,504 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general education is a widely-pursued major, with 26,982 degrees awarded annually. 740 colleges award general education degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,131.
By level, the 26,982 awards include 432 certificates, 2,073 associate degrees, 7,612 bachelor’s degrees, 14,563 master’s degrees and 2,300 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of general education degrees and certificates in the latest year (21,351 of 26,982). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (13,908) and Hispanic or Latino (5,740), and international students earned 1,152.
College Factual ranks 408 schools in its 2027 Best General Education Schools ranking, including 58 for associate degrees, 120 for bachelor’s degrees, 222 for master’s degrees and 50 for doctorates. It also ranks general education schools within 50 states. In all, 740 colleges offer general education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general education credential is the master’s degree: 14,563 of the 26,982 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general education call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 432 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,073 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,612 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 14,563 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2,300 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general education, at 50.9%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to General Education, with an average median salary of $94,822; the strongest outlook belongs to Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education, at 9.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Instructor, Education Instructor, Primary Education Professor and Science Education Professor.
The occupation related to general education with the most projected jobs is Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,441,246.
| 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% |
General Education graduates earn a median $56,771 one year after completing their program, $65,504 after four years and $63,842 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $56,771 |
| 4 years | $65,504 |
| 5 years | $63,842 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general education, with a median salary of $98,329.
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
