General Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in the core principles of education, this program equips learners with the intellectual tools and practical insights needed to understand and shape effective teaching and learning environments. It emphasizes the integration of psychological, social, and administrative dimensions essential to modern educational practice.
- Learning and Teaching Theory: Explores foundational models of how individuals acquire knowledge, develop skills, and engage with educational content across diverse contexts.
- Educational Psychology: Investigates cognitive, emotional, and developmental processes that influence learning, with an emphasis on applying psychological research to classroom settings.
- The Art of Teaching: Focuses on pedagogical strategies, instructional design, and classroom engagement techniques that foster student motivation and academic success.
- Planning and Administration of Educational Activities: Covers the organizational and managerial aspects of curriculum development, resource allocation, and program implementation in educational institutions.
- School Safety and Health Issues: Addresses policies and practices related to student well-being, crisis preparedness, mental health support, and creating physically and emotionally safe learning environments.
- Social Foundations of Education: Examines the historical, cultural, political, and economic forces that shape educational systems and influence equity, access, and policy development.
General Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
General Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with General Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 59,090 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
General Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,910 in Hawaii to $85,560 in California—a 71% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Louisiana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 59,090 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for General Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering General Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in General Education is found at Walden University (994 graduates), National University (NU) (779 graduates), Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ) (658 graduates), Northcentral University (NCU) (551 graduates), and University of North Texas (UNT) (328 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 16,722 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
994 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Master's
|
779 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Teachers College of San Joaquin (TCSJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
Other Award
|
658 | Stockton, California | Public | teacherscollegesj.edu |
| Northcentral University (NCU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
551 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
328 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
328 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
308 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
304 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
293 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
284 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
278 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
277 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
268 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
262 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
|
260 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
252 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
250 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Central State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
242 | Wilberforce, Ohio | Public | centralstate.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
240 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
226 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
225 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
224 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
213 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
205 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
194 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| University of Houston (UHD) |
Bachelor's
|
193 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Master's
|
185 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Master's
|
176 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
176 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
171 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
170 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
167 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Master's
|
163 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
154 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
154 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| California State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
151 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Master's
|
143 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| Empire State University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
140 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| Western Oregon University (WOU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
140 | Monmouth, Oregon | Public | wou.edu |
| Stanford University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
137 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
131 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
129 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Sacred Heart University (SHU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
128 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | sacredheart.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
128 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
127 | Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Master's
|
126 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
125 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Master's
|
125 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Goucher College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
122 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | goucher.edu |
| California State University (CSUB) |
Master's
|
121 | Bakersfield, California | Public | csub.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Master's
|
121 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Claremont Graduate University (CGU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
120 | Claremont, California | Private | cgu.edu |
| Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
119 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | ndm.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
117 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
117 | Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
| Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
116 | Marshall, Minnesota | Public | smsu.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
115 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
115 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
114 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
109 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
109 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
109 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
108 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
107 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Master's
|
103 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
102 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Belhaven University |
Master's
|
99 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | belhaven.edu |
| University of the District of Columbia (UDC) |
Associate's
|
97 | Washington, District of Columbia | Public | udc.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
97 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
97 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Master's
|
93 | Portales, New Mexico | Public | enmu.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Post-Master's
|
92 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
|
91 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University (APU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
88 | Azusa, California | Private | apu.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
86 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| York University |
Master's
|
86 | York, Nebraska | Private | york.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Bachelor's
|
86 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
85 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Monmouth University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
85 | West Long Branch, New Jersey | Private | monmouth.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
84 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
84 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
84 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of La Verne |
Bachelor's
|
82 | La Verne, California | Private | laverne.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
82 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
81 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Master's
|
80 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
79 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Wilmington University (WilmU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
77 | New Castle, Delaware | Private | wilmu.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
76 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| Passaic County Community College (PCCC) |
Other Award
|
76 | Paterson, New Jersey | Public | web.pccc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
74 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Schreiner University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
74 | Kerrville, Texas | Private | schreiner.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Bothell) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
74 | Bothell, Washington | Public | uwb.edu |
| Post University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
73 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| Brookdale Community College |
Associate's
|
73 | Lincroft, New Jersey | Public | brookdalecc.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Frostburg State University (FSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
72 | Frostburg, Maryland | Public | frostburg.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
|
72 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
|
72 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| Marshall University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about General Education programs
How much can I earn with a General Education degree?
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.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest General Education programs?
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.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in General Education growing or declining?
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.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a General Education degree?
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.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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