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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general education graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the early-career earnings of their general education graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general education graduates go on to earn the most.
Michigan State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general education graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Early-career general education graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $52,112 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Denison University earned it the #2 place for general education. Denison University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Early-career general education graduates from Denison University make a median of around $47,475 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. After graduating, general education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee typically earn about $47,785 annually.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Green Bay one of the highest-paying schools for general education. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay make a median of around $45,121 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at John Carroll University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from John Carroll University make a median of around $49,221 per year.
Kent State University At Kent placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. General Education graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of about $44,468 a year early in their careers.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #7 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College typically earn about $37,266 annually.
Wilmington College earned the #8 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Wilmington College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmington. Early-career general education graduates from Wilmington College make a median of around $43,693 per year.
Beloit College earned the #9 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Beloit College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. Early-career general education graduates from Beloit College make a median of around $43,478 per year.
The ranking above is published 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.