by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general education graduates in California. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from California State University Bakersfield make a median of around $86,211 per year.
California State University Sacramento came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $90,404.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System make a median of around $91,259 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Sonoma State University, which ranked #4. Sonoma State University is a public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Early-career general education graduates from Sonoma State University make a median of around $79,856 per year.
California State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. After graduating, general education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos typically earn about $82,880 annually.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot for general education salaries this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from California State University Dominguez Hills make a median of around $96,103 per year.
University Of San Diego landed the #7 spot for general education salaries this year. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. General Education graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of about $87,081 a year early in their careers.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for general education graduate earnings this year. California State University Stanislaus is a public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,195.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #9 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,347.
Stanford University landed the #10 spot for general education salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Stanford University make a median of around $88,795 per year.
Notre Dame De Namur University earned the #11 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,756.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #12 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. General Education graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $86,306 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. General Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of about $84,045 a year early in their careers.
California Baptist University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general education. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. General Education graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of about $81,045 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fresno placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $95,011 annually.
Claremont Graduate University earned the #16 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Claremont Graduate University typically earn about $121,403 annually.
California State University Los Angeles placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,525.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #18 for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Education graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $85,890 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Berkeley placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general education. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,998.
National University earned the #20 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,284.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #21 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. General Education graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $79,334 a year early in their careers.
University Of California San Diego came in at #22 for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,197.
University Of California Riverside earned the #23 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from University Of California Riverside make a median of around $81,501 per year.
Whittier College earned the #24 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Whittier College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Whittier. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Whittier College typically earn about $75,643 annually.
University Of San Francisco ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $75,460 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning general education graduates:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general education graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 38 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
