Best Colleges for Education, General

Education, General programs prepare future teachers and educational professionals to shape the next generation of learners. With 81 schools offering this major nationwide, students have numerous options to begin their teaching careers. Graduates typically earn an average of $33,927 annually, though salaries vary significantly by location, grade level, and specialization.

When evaluating Education, General programs, students should prioritize strong field experience components, including student teaching placements and classroom observation opportunities. Look for programs with high teacher certification pass rates, experienced faculty who maintain current classroom connections, and partnerships with local school districts. Accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) ensures quality standards and helps with licensure requirements across states.

Schools Ranked

$41,600

Avg. Program Earnings

60.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee	$52,107	34.9%	private-nonprofit
2	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$48,177	70.3%	private-nonprofit
3	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$48,041	85.0%	public
4	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$47,572	50.9%	public
5	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$47,260	62.1%	private-nonprofit
6	University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, Hawaii	$45,636	46.8%	public
7	Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, Illinois	$43,426	82.5%	private-nonprofit
8	City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington	$43,240	16.7%	private-nonprofit
9	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$41,342	44.0%	public
10	Goddard College Plainfield, Vermont	$41,193	75.0%	private-nonprofit
11	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$41,007	61.5%	public
12	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut	$40,393	47.8%	public
13	Stonehill College Easton, Massachusetts	$40,338	80.8%	private-nonprofit
14	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$40,089	82.2%	public
15	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$39,741	89.1%	private-nonprofit
16	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$39,099	71.0%	public
17	Corban University Salem, Oregon	$39,009	61.0%	private-nonprofit
18	Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts	$39,009	86.1%	private-nonprofit
19	University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, North Carolina	$38,289	47.5%	private-nonprofit
20	Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, Texas	$37,928	35.5%	private-nonprofit
21	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$37,821	51.2%	public
22	Midland University Fremont, Nebraska	$37,671	43.2%	private-nonprofit
23	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$37,280	53.1%	public
24	Siena Heights University Adrian, Michigan	$37,208	51.1%	private-nonprofit
25	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, Missouri	$37,125	79.8%	private-nonprofit