Master's-9% vs national median2,469 grads tracked
Education at Western Carolina University
Ranked 255th of 335 master's programs in Education by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$55,207
middle 50%: $46,223 – $67,564
Median · 5 years out
$63,498
middle 50%: $52,907 – $77,840
Median · 10 years out
$70,188
middle 50%: $59,301 – $84,115
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Education (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Graduates of Western Carolina University's master's program in Education earn a median $55,207 one year after graduating, rising to $70,188 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% below the national median of $69,841 for this field, ranking 255th of 335 reporting programs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
6.1 yrs
≈ $6,604 total interest
Same major at other universities
Indiana University - South Bend
$63,772 · 5 yrs out
University of Richmond
$63,756 · 5 yrs out
South Carolina State University
$63,675 · 5 yrs out
Adams State University
$63,642 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$63,600 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$63,553 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$63,410 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$63,334 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine - Farmington
$63,270 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$63,259 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$63,209 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$63,105 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
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