Entry Level Salary
$36,000
Median Salary
$72,888
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
33.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,915,520
Entry (Early)
$36,000
Median (Prime)
$72,888
High (Prime)
$77,053
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-131k
+186k
+219k
$25k / yr
-221k
+96k
+129k
$50k / yr
-311k
+6k
+39k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
28
$25k / yr
Never
38
35
$50k / yr
Never
61
50
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-203%
88%
119%
$50k / yr
-143%
3%
18%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate27.6%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
9.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,895
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,279|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$96,793|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Secondary school teachers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,154|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Education and childcare administrators
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$53,095
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$93,713|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Customer service representatives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,020|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,476|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$77,713
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$147,858|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,077
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,706|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,366|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Retail salespersons
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$22,908
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$34,074|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.