Education Degree Share Falls to 10% by 2025

Students should consider shifting degree trends and local salary data when choosing an academic path.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Distance Learning

Flat gouache-painted illustration of a small stack of academic caps, evoking changing trends in higher education degree attainment. — Education degrees have declined significantly over the past 15 years as students increasingly prioritize high-earning fields like science and engineering. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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As of 2025, women ages 65 and older represent the largest share of education bachelor's degree holders in the United States. Data from the American Community Survey highlights shifting academic trends as the share of education degrees awarded has fallen over the last 15 years.

Why it matters

The choice of major remains heavily tied to expected post-graduation earnings, contributing to a decline in education degrees compared to science and engineering fields. This shift reflects broader changes in student priorities and the labor market for degree holders.

According to 2025 American Community Survey estimates, 89 million adults ages 25 and over hold bachelor's degrees. While science and engineering degrees grew to 47% of the total, education degrees fell to 10%, with 42% of current education degree holders aged 65 or older.

The details

Educational attainment patterns are driven by cohort replacement as older degree holders age and younger students prioritize different fields of study. Regional disparities are significant, with states like Wyoming and Mississippi reporting 19% of bachelor's degree holders having education credentials, while Washington, D.C. holds only 4%. This geographic gap is mirrored by a salary divide, as median earnings for education graduates range from $47,604 in Mississippi to $82,011 in Washington, D.C.

2010 served as the baseline comparison for degree distribution.
2025 was the primary data collection period for these statistics.
October 29, 2026, marked the official release of the survey estimates.

Education Landscape

The decline in education degrees tracks with the rise of science and engineering, which grew from 44% to 47% of all degrees since 2010. This transition highlights a structural shift in higher education enrollment as students weigh credential costs against local median earnings.

Students should consider how their chosen field of study compares to regional earnings data, as median salaries for education graduates vary by nearly $35,000 depending on location. Prospective students can discuss these labor-market trends with their school's career services or financial aid office to align their degree goals with long-term financial outcomes.

The takeaway

The workforce is currently experiencing a generational shift as older education degree holders reach retirement age. Students evaluating their major should review local earning data and regional degree trends to ensure their academic path aligns with their expected career requirements.