by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a general education degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 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.
Leading the list is Oregon State University, our #1 for general education graduate salaries in Oregon. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from Oregon State University make a median of around $65,500 per year.
Corban University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Located in the city of Salem, Corban University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,984.
Strong graduate earnings at Western Oregon University earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Western Oregon University typically earn about $43,879 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Southern Oregon University earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,861.
Strong graduate earnings at George Fox University earned it the #5 place for general education. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from George Fox University make a median of around $55,425 per year.
Pacific University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the suburb of Forest Grove, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Education graduates of Pacific University earn a median of about $50,071 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,870.
University Of Portland earned the #8 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from University Of Portland typically earn about $57,501 annually.
University Of Oregon landed the #9 spot for general education salaries this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from University Of Oregon make a median of around $54,130 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 9 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.