Research.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured placements, sponsored links, advertising widgets and labeled paid mentions in articles involve schools, brands or advertising networks that compensate us. Some universities also pay us to process their current program data, but no payment influences our ranking methodology, scores or positions, or the other editorially independent information published on this site.

2027 Education Degree Concentration Outlook Report: Which Tracks Are Growing Faster, Paying More, and Hiring More Consistently

Imed Bouchrika, PhD

by Imed Bouchrika, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Table of Contents

How Do the Major Education Degree Concentrations Compare?

Education degree concentrations prepare students for different labor markets. "Concentration" usually means the focused track inside an education program, such as elementary education, special education, early childhood education, secondary education, educational leadership, instructional design, school counseling, or career and technical education.

Institution type matters because the same concentration can produce different costs, timelines, support levels, and employer signals. Public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit describe institutional control, while online, hybrid, and campus describe delivery format; they are not the same category.

The table below compares common education concentrations by career direction, credential needs, and value considerations so readers can avoid choosing based on major name alone.

ConcentrationCommon Career DirectionCredential or Licensure ContextBest-Fit Institution ModelMain Trade-Off
Elementary educationK-6 classroom teachingUsually requires state teacher certification and student teachingPublic universities, regional private nonprofits, accredited online completion programsStable public-sector hiring, but pay growth can depend on district salary schedules
Secondary educationMiddle or high school teaching in a subject areaRequires content-area preparation plus certificationPublic universities with strong subject departments or private nonprofits with school partnershipsHiring varies by subject, with math, science, and special education often stronger than some humanities fields
Special educationTeaching students with disabilities or support servicesRequires specialized state endorsement in many rolesAccredited public, nonprofit, or online programs with supervised placementsStrong need in many districts, but the work can be compliance-heavy and emotionally demanding
Early childhood educationPreschool, pre-K, childcare leadership, early intervention supportRequirements vary widely by state, employer, and settingCommunity college-to-university pathways, public institutions, affordable online programsLower median pay in many roles, making tuition control especially important
Instructional design and educational technologyCorporate training, online learning, curriculum technology, learning experience designLicensure often not required outside public schoolsOnline graduate certificates, public universities, private nonprofits with portfolio-based coursesMore flexible job market, but applicants need software, assessment, and portfolio evidence
Educational leadershipPrincipal, district leadership, program administrationOften requires teaching experience, graduate degree, and state administrator licensePublic or private nonprofit graduate programs with local district recognitionHigher salary potential, but entry usually requires prior education experience
School counselingK-12 counseling, college readiness, student supportUsually requires a master's degree, supervised hours, and state credentialCACREP-aligned or state-approved public and nonprofit programsConsistent need, but licensure details can be strict and state-specific
Career and technical educationTeaching vocational, trade, business, health, or technical subjectsMay require industry experience plus alternative certificationPublic universities, community college partnerships, state-approved alternative programsGood fit for experienced workers, but requirements differ sharply by state

For cost comparison, do not compare sticker tuition alone. A lower-priced public program may become less affordable if it accepts fewer transfer credits, while a higher-priced private nonprofit may offer scholarships, smaller cohorts, or stronger field-placement support that improves completion odds.

Use this checklist when comparing programs across institution types:

  1. Confirm regional accreditation and, when relevant, state approval for teacher preparation or administrator licensure.
  2. Ask whether online, hybrid, or campus students receive the same placement support for student teaching, practica, or internships.
  3. Compare net price after grants and scholarships, not only published tuition.
  4. Calculate total time to completion, including prerequisite courses, unpaid fieldwork, and licensure exams.
  5. Review transfer-credit limits, residency requirements, graduation rates, and student loan borrowing patterns.

Which Education Degree Concentrations Are Growing the Fastest?

The fastest-growing education concentrations are not always the largest. Growth is strongest where schools, colleges, employers, and training providers need specialized support, technology-enabled learning, or services for learners with complex needs.

BLS projections show postsecondary teachers at 8% growth and training and development specialists at 7%, both stronger than many traditional K-12 teaching categories. For students, that means education pathways connected to adult learning, instructional design, workforce development, and higher education may offer broader options than a single classroom certification track.

The table below ranks concentrations by relative growth momentum rather than by guaranteed job outcomes. Local district funding, state policy, subject area, and credential rules still matter.

Growth TierEducation ConcentrationsWhy Demand Is BuildingBest Student Fit
Fastest relative growthInstructional design, educational technology, adult learning, workforce trainingEmployers need training, online learning systems, compliance education, and upskilling programsStudents who like technology, curriculum design, assessment, and non-classroom education roles
Strong long-term relevanceSpecial education, school counseling, bilingual or English learner educationSchools need specialized support for disability services, mental health, language access, and interventionStudents who want mission-driven work and can manage documentation, collaboration, and case support
Moderate and location-dependentElementary education, secondary education, early childhood educationHiring follows population shifts, retirements, public funding, and state staffing shortagesStudents who want direct classroom work and are willing to compare state and district labor markets
Career-stage growthEducational leadership, curriculum supervision, principal preparationLeadership roles open after teaching experience and administrative credentialingExperienced educators seeking higher responsibility and salary potential

Online programs can be useful for growth-oriented concentrations because many working adults cannot pause employment to attend campus full time. However, students should confirm that an online teacher-preparation program is authorized for their state and includes field experiences near their location.

Students comparing adjacent helping-profession pathways sometimes look at healthcare credentials alongside education degrees; for example, PharmD online programs can illustrate how professional licensure programs place especially high importance on accreditation, supervised practice, and state eligibility.

Which Education Degree Concentrations Are Growing the Fastest?

Other Things You Should Know About Education

Which education concentration is best overall?

There is no single best concentration for every student. Special education, instructional design, school counseling, educational leadership, and STEM secondary education often offer strong value because they connect to specialized demand, but the best choice depends on your state, target role, budget, and credential requirements.

Are online education degrees respected by employers?

Online education degrees can be respected when they come from a regionally accredited institution and meet state licensure requirements for the role. Employers usually care more about accreditation, certification eligibility, supervised experience, and demonstrated teaching or training skills than delivery format alone.

Is a public university usually the best value for an education degree?

A public in-state university is often a strong value because of lower resident tuition and local licensure alignment. However, a private nonprofit or online program may be worth considering if it offers better scholarships, faster completion, stronger field-placement support, or a better fit for working adults.

What should I check before enrolling in an education program?

Check regional accreditation, state approval for licensure, field-placement support, transfer-credit rules, net price after aid, exam requirements, graduation support, and career outcomes. If you plan to work in a licensed role, get written confirmation that the program fits your state's requirements.

See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Education

Read our interview with Education experts

Alan J. Singer

Alan J. Singer

Education Expert

Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology

Hofstra University

Carrie B. Kisker

Carrie B. Kisker

Education Expert

President

Kisker Education Consulting

Nooshan Ashtari

Nooshan Ashtari

Education Expert

Professor & Book Author

University of Southern California

Do you have any feedback for this article?