General Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for General Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $85,560 compared to $49,910 in Hawaii. Approximately 59,090 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 733 accredited institutions offer General Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Walden University (994 graduates), National University (NU) (779 graduates), and Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ) (658 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 33,705 in 2010 to a peak of 29,943 in 2020, before declining slightly to 27,481 in 2023-24. This represents a 18% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 59,090 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.