by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general education graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their general education graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send general education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general education graduates in Tennessee. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a public institution. General Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of about $38,746 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Motlow State Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,655.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Roane State Community College, which ranked #3. Roane State Community College is a public school located in the town of Harriman. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,830.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Christian Brothers University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Christian Brothers University typically earn about $60,722 annually.
Austin Peay State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Austin Peay State University is a public school located in the city of Clarksville. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University typically earn about $62,317 annually.
Cumberland University landed the #6 spot for general education salaries this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,137.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #7 for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Bethel University Tennessee make a median of around $52,261 per year.
Union University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Union University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. General Education graduates of Union University earn a median of about $51,763 a year early in their careers.
Tusculum College came in at #9 for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Tusculum College make a median of around $41,807 per year.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. After graduating, general education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $71,739 annually.
Walters State Community College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Walters State Community College typically earn about $37,893 annually.
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 · 11 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.