What can you do with a Educational Studies degree?

First, some facts. Of the Educational Studies graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 64 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Educational Studies graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Educational Studies graduate.

See the details:

View a random Educational Studies graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Central State University with a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Education Specialist
Tracy Unified School District
Jul 2023 - Present
As an Education Specialist, the role directly requires the application of educational theories and practices learned during the Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies, making it highly relevant.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
National University
2023 - 2025
ABOUT

A High School Education Specialist helping students to gain functional skills they can utilize once they graduate while promoting a social and emotional learning environment.

What jobs can you get with a Educational Studies degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When examining the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Educational Studies, a distinct trend emerges. Many of these individuals have pursued jobs directly rooted in education, such as classroom teachers, educational assistants, and roles focused on early childhood education. The cases of those who transitioned into educational settings show a strong correlation between their job responsibilities and the foundational knowledge gleaned from their studies. Positions such as 'Math Teacher', '2nd Grade Teacher', and 'Lead Preschool Teacher' themselves anchor the relevance of Educational Studies, as each role requires not only teaching skills but also an understanding of educational theories and methodologies.

However, not all pathways taken by these graduates emphasize their educational training. A substantial number of individuals ventured into roles that diverged significantly from their degree's focus—jobs like bartenders, legal interns, or even administrative assistant positions. While some of these roles may utilize certain transferable skills, they generally lack the core competencies and connections to Educational Studies. In particular, jobs in sales, customer service, or unrelated fields showcase how graduates sometimes pivot away from formal educational roles. For instance, a 'Banquet Bartender' or a 'Buyer' position highlights a departure from educational practices, even if there are some minimal overlaps in interpersonal skills.

Overall, the majority of individuals whose profiles were examined tend to find jobs that are either highly relevant or tangentially connected to their Educational Studies degree. The most common types of jobs, particularly those in teaching or educational support, demonstrate clear relevance and application of their academic training. Conversely, the emergence of job roles with little relation to education signifies a broader trend where some graduates might prioritize immediate employment needs over aligning with their degree’s foundational knowledge. Ultimately, while many Educational Studies alumni navigate towards fulfilling educational roles, a notable portion diverge into assorted fields for various reasons, reflecting diverse post-graduation trajectories.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Educational Studies graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Educational Studies graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Educational Studies, we see a mix of paths that generally align with education-related roles. Right after graduation, many students head into teaching positions, internships, or roles that provide direct experience in educational settings. For instance, we see graduates taking on positions like Classroom Interns, Associate Teachers, and Early Intervention Specialists. This is pretty expected for someone with an Educational Studies degree. It suggests that the immediate post-graduation landscape for many of these graduates is heavily tilted towards hands-on roles within schools or educational institutions, which is great for gaining practical experience.

As we move further out in their careers, around the five to ten-year mark, many graduates continue in the education sector. We've got individuals transitioning into roles like Early Childhood Educators, Curriculum Coordinators, and even Policy Analysts within educational institutions. Some moving up in administrative or leadership roles, such as Assistant Principals or Education Specialists, indicate a steady progression toward more responsible positions. However, there is also a noticeable drift for some graduates into roles that are more administrative or unrelated to direct education, such as talent attraction or marketing positions. This could hint at a degree of versatility in their education, allowing them to step into various fields, but it also raises questions about job satisfaction and alignment with their initial career goals.

That said, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some graduates have had less traditional job paths, taking on roles that seem disconnected from education, like sales or administrative positions in the business realm. This might suggest that not all Educational Studies degrees lead directly to fulfilling educational careers, and some people might find themselves needing to pivot. Ultimately, while a significant number of graduates stick with teaching or educational roles over time, others may struggle to find their niche, which offers a more complex picture of what an Educational Studies degree can lead to. In summary, if you're looking at this field, expect a strong start in education but be aware of the diverse paths your career may take in the future.

How hard is a Educational Studies degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies tends to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, mainly because it often focuses on practical knowledge and theories related to education rather than heavy-duty math or science courses. You’ll be diving into topics like child development, learning theories, and educational psychology, which can be super interesting if you’re into that stuff. Plus, a lot of the assignments might involve group work and projects, making the whole process feel a bit more collaborative and less like you're cramming for exams all the time. It's definitely not a walk in the park, but if you have a passion for education, you might find it more enjoyable and manageable than some of those more traditional hardcore degree programs.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Educational Studies.

Do Educational Studies graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these Educational Studies graduates, it seems like their financial journeys vary quite a bit. For instance, the graduate from Walden University has been a Stemm Media Specialist/Librarian since 2016, which typically offers a stable salary, but it might not be the highest-paying job out there. On the other hand, the University of Washington Bothell graduate has had an array of roles, including positions at universities and educational clinics, which could lead to a solid income over time. However, many early career roles like those of the recent graduates still seem to lean towards the lower end of the pay scale. It feels like they’re building their experience rather than raking in big bucks right away.

That said, some of these individuals, especially those who are in teaching or administrative roles, might find decent pay in mid-career if they stick with it and work their way up. For example, graduates who hold positions like “Assistant Principal” or “Director” may be earning a more respectable salary compared to their earlier roles. But for most of them, it appears they are in the early stages of their careers, which often involves navigating lower salaries before reaching that point where they can earn a good living. So overall, it looks like many of these graduates are still on the journey towards making decent money, but it might take a few more years of experience to get there.

What buzzwords do Educational Studies graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Educational Studies. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Educational Studies?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Educational Studies (ordered by the average relevance score of their Educational Studies graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count