College ROI

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General

Miscellaneous Education

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Miscellaneous Education.

Entry Level Salary
$42,476
Median Salary
$69,764
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.9%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,790,560
Entry (Early)
$42,476
Median (Prime)
$69,764
High (Prime)
$70,793

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

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
-72k
+160k
+169k
$25k / yr
-162k
+70k
+79k
$50k / yr
-252k
-20k
-11k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
29
$25k / yr
Never
41
40
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-149%
65%
72%
$50k / yr
-116%
-9%
-5%
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 with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate44.3%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.

Top Professions

Secondary school teachers

12.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,774
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,000|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Elementary and middle school teachers

11.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

Education and childcare administrators

4.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,735
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%

Postsecondary teachers

3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$9,371
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,599|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%

Management occupations

3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,542|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Other teachers and instructors

1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,393
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$5,899
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,296|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Special education teachers

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%

Customer service representatives

1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$21,385
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,000|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers

1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$15,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,518|$87,980
openings
85,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.3%

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.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Undergrad Certificate4$29,364 - $29,364
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Associate's Degree4Data N/A
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Bachelor's Degree15$54,158 - $68,614
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Post-bacc Certificate8$74,722 - $92,383
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Master's Degree54$57,142 - $90,944
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Doctoral Degree5Data N/A
bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education.Graduate Certificate28$65,200 - $109,328
curriculum and instruction.Undergrad Certificate1Data N/A
curriculum and instruction.Associate's Degree2Data N/A
curriculum and instruction.Bachelor's Degree15$44,498 - $51,036
curriculum and instruction.Post-bacc Certificate7Data N/A
curriculum and instruction.Master's Degree364$38,092 - $100,111
curriculum and instruction.Doctoral Degree122$70,523 - $153,334
curriculum and instruction.First Professional Degree4$63,957 - $73,718
curriculum and instruction.Graduate Certificate34$57,855 - $77,566
curriculum and instruction.Level 996$71,589 - $71,589
education, other.Undergrad Certificate11$36,690 - $36,690
education, other.Associate's Degree11$27,732 - $83,524
education, other.Bachelor's Degree79$28,399 - $67,795
education, other.Post-bacc Certificate14$52,531 - $52,531
education, other.Master's Degree106$35,350 - $303,202
education, other.Doctoral Degree45$52,028 - $118,508
education, other.Graduate Certificate27$50,906 - $306,793
education, other.Level 9918Data N/A
educational assessment, evaluation, and research.Bachelor's Degree5$44,242 - $48,168
educational assessment, evaluation, and research.Post-bacc Certificate5Data N/A
educational assessment, evaluation, and research.Master's Degree53$52,015 - $87,792
educational assessment, evaluation, and research.Doctoral Degree34$92,899 - $110,599
educational assessment, evaluation, and research.Graduate Certificate24$90,521 - $90,521
educational/instructional media design.Undergrad Certificate11Data N/A
educational/instructional media design.Associate's Degree6$34,994 - $34,994
educational/instructional media design.Bachelor's Degree12$68,414 - $68,414
educational/instructional media design.Post-bacc Certificate11$59,669 - $59,669
educational/instructional media design.Master's Degree227$36,324 - $127,546
educational/instructional media design.Doctoral Degree31$82,741 - $133,031
educational/instructional media design.Graduate Certificate55$64,738 - $88,870
international and comparative education.Bachelor's Degree3$79,640 - $79,640
international and comparative education.Master's Degree14$57,017 - $79,464
international and comparative education.Graduate Certificate7Data N/A
student counseling and personnel services.Post-bacc Certificate11$54,635 - $72,884
student counseling and personnel services.Master's Degree438$36,066 - $94,232
student counseling and personnel services.Doctoral Degree74$57,641 - $92,301
student counseling and personnel services.First Professional Degree5$60,258 - $60,258
student counseling and personnel services.Graduate Certificate61$41,954 - $99,344
student counseling and personnel services.Level 9914$85,757 - $85,757
teaching assistants/aides.Undergrad Certificate55$15,675 - $46,754
teaching assistants/aides.Associate's Degree70$31,855 - $64,000
teaching assistants/aides.Master's Degree5Data N/A