Education, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Education, Other.: The DTI for this program is 51.6%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Education, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $47678) to the average debt ($24610) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Education, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 51.6%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Education, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($47678) against the typical student debt ($24610), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Education, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $47678, with grads carrying about $24610 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.52—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 4693 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Education, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Education, Other (CIP 13.9999) is a broad, interdisciplinary category for academic programs that explore the theories, structures, and futures of learning through non-traditional frameworks. While standard education degrees focus on specific grade levels (like Elementary Education), this "Other" designation is used for high-level specialties like educational neuroscience, global education policy, learning analytics, and museum education.
This field is ideal for "educational architects"—individuals who want to study the science of how humans learn and design the systems, environments, and policies that make that learning possible outside of a standard classroom.
What Is an Education (Other) Degree?
A degree in this category focuses on the innovation and analysis of learning. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs are often research-heavy and forward-thinking. You might study how virtual reality changes memory retention, how "gamification" can be used in corporate training, or how urban architecture affects student focus. It is a social science major that treats education as a global tool for human development rather than just a school-based activity.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Learning Scientists" who research the cognitive processes behind skill acquisition
- Develop experts in Non-Formal Education (museums, national parks, and community centers)
- Prepare professionals for Educational Entrepreneurship and the development of new learning technologies
- Study the impact of Socio-Economic Policy on lifelong learning and adult literacy
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to look past "what" is being taught to understand "how" and "where" learning actually happens.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Educational Research Methods to gather and analyze data on student performance
- Design "Learning Environments" that optimize physical or digital spaces for focus
- Use Learning Analytics to track how users interact with online educational platforms
- Develop "Policy Briefs" to advocate for educational reform at the state or national level
- Perform "Program Evaluations" to see if a specific educational initiative is actually working
- Understand the Diversity of Cognition—how neurodiversity affects the way individuals process information
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of sociology, psychology, and systems design:
- Cognitive Science of Learning: The biological and psychological basis of how we remember and apply knowledge.
- International Comparative Education: How different countries structure their learning systems.
- Educational Technology (EdTech): The design and impact of digital learning tools.
- Philosophy of Education: Exploring the historical and modern purpose of learning in society.
- Museum and Gallery Studies: Designing educational experiences for public, non-school spaces.
- Organizational Learning: How companies and groups learn and adapt as a collective.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as researchers, designers, and high-level administrators.
Common job roles include:
- Educational Consultant: Advising schools and businesses on how to modernize their training programs.
- Learning Experience (LX) Designer: Creating the "user journey" for educational apps or online courses.
- Policy Analyst: Researching and writing reports for educational think tanks or government agencies.
- Director of Education (Non-Profit): Overseeing the educational mission of a museum, zoo, or foundation.
- Academic Researcher: Conducting studies on learning trends and cognitive development.
- Chief Learning Officer (CLO): Managing the high-level strategy for employee growth in large corporations.
Where Can You Work?
Specialists in this field work where knowledge is created and shared:
- Educational Tech Companies: Working on platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, or Duolingo.
- Foundations and NGOs: Designing literacy or vocational programs for global populations.
- Corporate Headquarters: Leading internal "Universities" for employee development.
- Museums and Cultural Sites: Developing the tours and interactive exhibits for visitors.
- Research Institutes: Analyzing data to improve national education standards.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this category are often higher than traditional teaching because the roles are frequently in the corporate, tech, or policy sectors.
- Educational Researchers: Median annual salary of approximately $70,000–$95,000.
- Learning Experience Designers: Salaries typically range from $80,000 to $115,000.
- Chief Learning Officers: Senior executive salaries can exceed $150,000–$200,000.
- Museum Education Directors: Median annual salary of around $60,000–$85,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the theoretical and analytical depth. You must be proficient in Statistics and Research Design to understand large data sets. You also need to be a "systems thinker"—someone who can look at a complex problem (like the digital divide) and find a multi-layered solution. It requires a high level of writing and communication, as you are often trying to convince others to change the way they teach or learn.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by how the brain works and why some people learn faster than others
- Want to change the world through education but don't want to be a classroom teacher
- Enjoy "big picture" problem solving and analyzing complex data
- Are interested in the future of technology, such as AI in the classroom
- Believe that learning should happen everywhere, not just in a school building
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, and Computer Science
- Volunteer at a museum, library, or after-school program to see different types of learning
- Practice your data analysis skills; being able to read a chart is as important as reading a book
- Start a blog or project that explains a complex topic to others
- Stay curious about "EdTech" and try out various online learning platforms to see what works
The ability to analyze, design, and lead the future of how humans acquire knowledge is the hallmark of a successful professional in the broad field of education.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor