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Learning Sciences

A program that focuses on the multiple aspects of learning in different environments, including specific aspects of the content to be mastered, cognitive aspects of the student, the instructional environment and materials, the preparation and activities of the instructor, socio-cultural and linguistic components, and assessment outcomes. Includes instruction in the social, organizational, and cultural dynamics of learning; learning and cognition; learning strategies; educational psychology; educational testing and measurement; instructional design and technology; and statistical design of educational research. Examples: [Learning Sciences Research], [Learning Sciences and Policy]

Types of Degrees Learning Sciences Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Learning Sciences can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Bachelor’s Degree	2,959
Master’s Degree	991
Doctor’s Degree	94

What Learning Sciences Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Learning Sciences build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Learning Sciences graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Learning Sciences emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Education and Training — Importance 4.6 / 5; level 6.3 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 5.8 / 7.
• Psychology — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Administration and Management — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Communications and Media — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills built by a Learning Sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Speaking — Importance 4.5 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Reading Comprehension — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Learning Strategies — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Instructing — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Learning Sciences careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Oral Expression — Importance 4.3 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.
• Speech Clarity — Importance 4.3 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Written Expression — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Learning Sciences graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Training and Teaching Others	4.7 / 7
Getting Information	4.7 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.4 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.4 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.3 / 7
Coaching and Developing Others	4.3 / 7
Working with Computers	4.2 / 7
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People	4.2 / 7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.1 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.1 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Learning Sciences professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Blackboard software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Learning management system LMS	Computer based training software	✓
SAS	Analytical or scientific software	—
iParadigms Turnitin	Information retrieval or search software	—
Desmos	Analytical or scientific software	—
Desire2Learn LMS software	Computer based training software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Learning Sciences graduates include:

• Lecturer
• Adjunct Instructor
• Primary Education Professor
• Instructor
• Secondary Education Professor
• Educator
• Educational Administration Teacher
• Physical Education Instructor
• Special Education Professor
• Adjunct Lecturer
• Adjunct Education Professor
• Education Faculty Member
• Continuing Education Instructor
• Assistant Professor
• Tenure-Track Professor

What Can You Do With a Learning Sciences Degree?

Graduates with a degree in Learning Sciences commonly enter the following occupations:

Occupation	Job Growth	Median Salary	25th–75th Pctile
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	2.4%	$98,329	$80,157–$116,500
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	11.1%	$47,617	$40,214–$55,020
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	-0.5%	$65,582	$52,883–$78,281
Transportation Planners	4.1%	$50,855	$41,877–$59,834
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	6.1%	$42,168	$34,036–$50,300

^{Job-growth = projected employment change for the parent occupation. Source: ONET / BLS Employment Projections.*}

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Learning Sciences graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Doctoral degree	68.4%
Bachelor’s degree	17.1%
Master’s degree	12.8%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	1.5%
Post-doctoral training	0.1%
Post-master’s certificate	0.1%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Learning Sciences?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly female, with women earning 85.5% of Learning Sciences degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	3,457	85.5%
Men	587	14.5%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Learning Sciences graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	2,624	64.9%
Asian	110	2.7%
Hispanic or Latino	502	12.4%
Black or African American	330	8.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	41	1.0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	3	0.1%
Two or More Races	105	2.6%
Race Unknown	230	5.7%
International Students	99	2.4%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Learning Sciences Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Learning Sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$62,037
4 years	$57,700
5 years	$64,541

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $64,541 — roughly 4% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Learning Sciences Programs

Online study are documented by IPEDS for Learning Sciences. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Bachelor’s	3	2
Master’s	14	5
Doctoral (Research)	1	2

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Learning Sciences Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Learning Sciences graduates earn a median of $57,700 four years after completion — roughly 52% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research	5,695
Educational Evaluation and Research	789
Educational Statistics and Research Methods	351
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other	298
Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement	206
Institutional Research	7

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.