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 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general education schools.
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Below are the schools whose general education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Amherst the top school for general education graduate earnings in the New England Region. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst typically earn about $65,277 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Brown University one of the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,577.
Bay Path College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Bay Path College typically earn about $49,257 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Southern New Hampshire University, which ranked #4. Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,290.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Springfield College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Springfield College typically earn about $45,906 annually.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts came in at #6 for general education graduate earnings this year. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a public school located in the town of North Adams. Early-career general education graduates from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts make a median of around $54,503 per year.
Smith College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Smith College make a median of around $53,517 per year.
Salem State University landed the #8 spot for general education salaries this year. Salem State University is a public school located in the suburb of Salem. Early-career general education graduates from Salem State University make a median of around $46,529 per year.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #9 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. General Education graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of about $28,061 a year early in their careers.
Boston University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. General Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $27,891 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 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.