by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general education schools.
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If you want to know which schools send general education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Hamline University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general education graduates in Minnesota. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Hamline University typically earn about $67,927 annually.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,771.
Students chasing top earnings in general education will find them at Bethel University Minnesota, which ranked #3. Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. General Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of about $67,039 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Walden University one of the highest-paying schools for general education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. General Education graduates of Walden University earn a median of about $72,390 a year early in their careers.
Southwest Minnesota State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public school located in the town of Marshall. Early-career general education graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University make a median of around $59,053 per year.
Capella University earned the #6 position for general education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from Capella University typically earn about $56,264 annually.
Winona State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general education. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. Students who complete the general education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,780.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general education schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Early-career general education graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato make a median of around $61,535 per year.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #9 spot for general education salaries this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. After graduating, general education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth typically earn about $50,147 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 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.