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The complete guide to careers and degrees in education
![Education](https://res.cloudinary.com/team-odeon/images/w_820,h_310,c_scale/f_webp/v1660655520/degreechoices/teaching-degrees/teaching-degrees.jpg?_i=AA)
Olga is an in-house editor and writer at Degreechoices.com. She has previous experience as a higher education instructional designer and a university librarian. Olga is passionate about well-crafted sentences, Wikipedia rabbit holes, and the Oxford comma.
Key information
- Salary with bachelor’s degree: $42,113
- Best state for education: Rhode Island
- Salary with master’s degree: $58,763
Teachers play a crucial role in children’s lives, helping them navigate the scholastic and interpersonal challenges of each grade level. Teachers also help students build noncognitive skills like motivation, adaptability, and self-regulation.
After parents, teachers are often the most important role models and dependable adults in young people’s lives. Because teaching is such an indispensable and influential profession, the path to this career is highly regulated. Becoming an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher generally requires a bachelor’s degree in education that includes a state-approved teacher prep program and supervised classroom experience.
While teaching is a rewarding and in-demand profession, some may be discouraged by the relatively low pay. Three years after graduation, teachers earn approximately $9,000 less per year than the average bachelor’s degree holder. However, over time, teachers earn around $3,000 more per year than the average for all occupations, in addition to working in a uniquely meaningful and rewarding profession.
What you study in a teaching degree
Teacher education focuses on 2 broad areas: pedagogy and subject specialization. Pedagogy is the theory and practice of teaching. Insights from sociology, psychology, and child development are used to understand how learning environments, socioeconomic factors, and personality and culture affect learning. The practical side of pedagogy focuses on topics like teaching strategies, curriculum design, and classroom management. Teacher education programs also comprise specialization in an academic subject area like math or English, often taken as a co-major.
Associate degree in education
An associate degree in education provides basic training for entering the education field. It is a good first step towards a teaching career. Many associate degrees in education are focused on pre-kindergarten/preschool early childhood education, since teaching in public schools from kindergarten onward requires at least a bachelor’s degree in all states. It is also possible to transfer to a 4-year program once you’ve completed an associate degree.
What can you do with an associate degree in education?
An associate degree in education qualifies you for work as a paraeducator in the public school system, in roles such as teaching assistant or teacher’s aide. Working as a teacher in a state-funded or private childcare facility or preschool is another popular option. Keep in mind that some states require a bachelor’s of education or other bachelor’s degree to work as a licensed preschool teacher.
Preschool teacher, except special education
The first 5 years of life are full of wonder, growth, and magic. A preschool teacher aims to harness their students’ wild imaginations and give them an engaging and fun education. To work in most public schools and state-funded preschools, licensure or a permit are required for both teacher’s aides and preschool teachers. Requirements vary substantially between states, and even between different types of institutions and childcare programs in the same state.
Teaching assistant
When juggling lesson plans, teacher conferences, and meetings, teachers often need additional help in the classrooms. Teaching assistants help licensed teachers grade papers, give instructions, answer students’ questions, and prepare lessons. They may also be asked to aid students who need additional help, manage classroom behavior, assist with planning activities, and complete records.
Bachelor’s in education
A bachelor’s degree in education is the main route to becoming a teacher or an initial step towards teaching administration. You generally choose an area of study that corresponds to the age group and subjects you wish to teach. For example:
- Best bachelor’s degree in early childhood education
- Best bachelor’s in elementary education
- Best bachelor’s degree in secondary education
- Best bachelor’s in special education
Most bachelor’s in education programs include a fieldwork placement in a local school, usually in the final year. A bachelor’s in education that includes teacher prep will save you time. Otherwise, you will be required to complete teacher prep after graduating.
»Read: The best schools for education majors according to economic performance
Following the completion of a bachelor’s in education and a teacher prep program, there are several certification tests candidates must pass before becoming licensed teachers. States vary significantly in terms of licensure requirements, but most require completion of 1 or more of the Praxis series tests – Core, Content Knowledge for Assessment, and/or Subject Assessments.
Popular online programs
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It can be difficult to enter a bachelor of education straight out of high school, as there are college-level course prerequisites that need to be completed. If applying straight out of high school, look for programs that have a preparatory semester where prerequisites can be taken, or consider an associate’s degree in education as a first step.
Is a bachelor’s degree in education worth it?
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings 3 years after graduating.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Compares earnings from this specific program against the national average for all graduates at this degree level.
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Early-career bachelor’s in education earnings, 3 years after attending school, are $37,414. This is $13,179 less than the national average for all bachelor’s degrees, which places bachelor’s in teaching earnings in the bottom 30% out of 289 programs. This salary data includes all bachelor’s in education graduates regardless of the type of work they do after completing their degree.
Years to pay back cost of teaching degree
It takes the average bachelor’s in education student 7.5 years to earn back their educational investment, compared to 4.5 years for all bachelor’s students. We calculate payback by dividing the costs of attending a school by the average earnings compared to peers in the state without a college education.
Payback amount
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Education, General
17.4
National average
8.5
Economic score
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Education, General
23.7
National average
8.2
Our economic score also takes into account how much more or less students earn when compared to the weighted average nationally for all majors, what we call EarningsPlus. The economic score of 7.4 places the bachelor’s in education in the bottom 30% of all bachelor’s degrees.
Many bachelor of education graduates are eligible for loan forgiveness programs, especially if you teach in an underserviced or low-income community. Prominent examples include the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and Perkins Loan Cancellation for Teachers.
Find the best bachelor’s in education programs
Find the best education programs in your state
Top 3 bachelor’s in education programs
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
Look for schools with regional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and approved by the relevant state board of education. Other accrediting bodies for teacher preparation programs include the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).
Careers with a bachelor’s in education
National wage average
$46,310
National demand increase (2021-31)
7.7%
Despite a discouraging short-term economic outlook, bachelor’s in education graduate earnings in the long run exceed the national wage average for all occupations. Salaries for most teaching roles with a bachelor’s in education also exceed the average for all bachelor’s-level occupations as reported by the Census Bureau ($59,600, ages 25-34).
Teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels can expect employment growth rates of 4–5% in the next decade, while early childhood administrators are in much higher demand. The BLS classifies the following as education roles requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry:
Elementary school teacher, except special education
Elementary teachers create safe, stimulating, and fun learning environments for children ages 5-12. They instruct on basic subjects such as reading and math, often teaching several subjects to the same class.
Secondary school teacher, except special and career/technical education
High school teachers prepare students in grades 9-12 for college and beyond. They usually focus on their specialized subject area but may teach several classes within that area.
Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare
While 25% of preschool and daycare administrators have a master’s degree, and 14% have a Ph.D., the entry-level degree is a bachelor’s in addition a few years of professional experience. The role entails oversight of the daily operations of early childhood institutions, including staffing, budgets, parent relations, and curriculum design. Considering the relatively low earnings, pursuing this in-demand role with just a bachelor’s (and without the added cost of a master’s degree) may be a wise choice.
Career and technical education (CTE) teacher, secondary school
Secondary school CTE teachers provide vocational training in subjects such as healthcare, IT, business car repair, and agriculture. A few years’ experience in the relevant professional field is a common requirement, and 51% of secondary school CTE teachers have a master’s degree.
Master’s in education
A master’s in education can lead to lucrative positions in school administration, curriculum development, and other educational leadership roles. Programs tend to include a wide range of concentrations and certificates, which can increase job prospects both in and out of the classroom.
If you have a bachelor’s in a field other than education but wish to pursue teaching, a graduate degree in education with an embedded teacher prep program is a good choice; these programs are often referred to as MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). Note that university-based alternative teaching certification programs, which are increasingly available online, often result in a Master of Education.
»Read: The best master’s of education programs
Although not formally required for entry, around 47% of elementary and middle school teachers and 51% of high school teachers have a master’s degree. A handful of school districts – including Connecticut, Maryland, and New York – require teachers to earn a master’s degree within a specified timeframe, usually 5 years after entering the profession. In Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and Oregon, teachers need a master’s degree if they wish to gain the highest level of professional licensure.
For teachers, a master’s program enables further specialization in taught subjects or a niche area of interest like special education or teacher leadership. Examples of specializations at this level include:
- Best master’s in reading and literacy
- Best master’s in early childhood education
- Best ESL graduate programs
- Best master’s in elementary education
- Best master’s in secondary education
Around 50% of special education teachers, including at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, have a master’s, meaning it is slightly more popular among these teachers. Additionally, a graduate degree remains a cornerstone of how many school districts set teacher wages – with 88% of districts offering a pay raise for earning your master’s.
Are education master’s degrees worth it?
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Median earnings 3 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
Compares earnings from this specific program against the national average for all graduates at this degree level.
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Master’s in education median earnings 3 years after attending school are $53,784. This is $10,403 less than the national average, placing education graduate earnings in the bottom 45% out of a total 228 programs measured. Master’s in education students see a $16,370 increase in earnings over the bachelor’s degree, which is slightly above the average of $13,099 for all master’s degrees.
Debt-to-earnings
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Education, General
0.5
National average
0.7
Economic score
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Education, General
0.6
National average
0.7
Deciding if a master’s in education makes sense for you will depend largely on your career goals. Certain roles in education, like superintendent, principal, and school administrator – require it. Teachers may also choose to pursue this degree for the added skills and training or the earnings boost that generally comes with master’s degrees.
Discover the best education graduate programs
Find the best education degrees in your state
Top 3 master’s in education programs
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
Careers with a master’s degree in education
National wage average
$46,310
National demand increase (2021-31)
7.7%
Long-term wages for education careers with a master’s degree are significantly higher than the average for all occupations, and education administrators also earn well above the average for all occupations at this level of educational attainment ($69,700; ages 25-34).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following education roles require a master’s degree for entry. Note that these roles also require 5 or more years of professional experience, often earned in a teaching role.
Instructional coordinator/curriculum specialist
Instructional coordinators collaborate with teachers and principals on developing curriculums and teaching standards. They also analyze student test data, recommend new teaching techniques and technologies, and mentor or coach teachers.
Education administrator (kindergarten through secondary school)
Educational administrators, a category that includes school principals, encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including fostering a safe school environment, hiring teaching staff, managing school budgets, observing classroom instruction, and taking measures to improve teaching quality. Prospective school principals are expected to have at least 2-3 years of teaching under their belt, as well as additional experience in an administrative role like assistant principal.
Final thoughts
Whether you would like to educate children face-to-face, enhance the curriculum by conducting research, or mentor teachers in a leadership role, a degree in education offers an abundance of professional opportunities.
Teacher shortages, exacerbated by the global pandemic, mean teachers continue to be in high demand across the country. Shortages are particularly serious among math, science, language, and special education teachers. If any of these fields interest you, it is an excellent time to pursue teacher training with a focus on one of these subjects.