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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find where general education graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send general education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Bellevue University the top school for general education graduate earnings in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Bellevue University make a median of around $68,730 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Highland Community College Highland one of the highest-paying schools for general education. Highland Community College Highland is a public school located in the rural area of Highland. General Education graduates of Highland Community College Highland earn a median of about $42,440 a year early in their careers.
Midland University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Education graduates of Midland University earn a median of about $48,420 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Walden University one of the highest-paying schools for general education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Walden University make a median of around $44,458 per year.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. General Education graduates of Inver Hills Community College earn a median of about $35,070 a year early in their careers.
Century College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Century College typically earn about $34,841 annually.
Lindenwood University earned the #7 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,372.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #8 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. General Education graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of about $42,866 a year early in their careers.
Webster University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Webster University typically earn about $42,072 annually.
Hamline University came in at #10 for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general education graduates from Hamline University make a median of around $36,976 per year.
Harris Stowe State University landed the #11 spot for general education salaries this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from Harris Stowe State University make a median of around $38,610 per year.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. General Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of about $33,199 a year early in their careers.
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 · 12 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.