Comparative education is a discipline in the social sciences involving the analysis and comparison of different types of educational systems. People in this field are interested in developing meaningful terminology and standards for education worldwide, improving educational systems, and creating a framework for assessing the success of education programs and initiatives. Usually, graduate degrees are required to work in this field, although some people can practice with a four-year degree only.

In comparative education, people are interested in the different systems individual nations use for providing education to their citizens. They examine the strengths and weaknesses of different systems and may compare and contrast nations. Another area of interest is comparisons in a single nation over time, looking at how changes in the system have influenced educational outcomes, as well as examining variations in the education system from region to region.

An important aspect of comparative education is contextualization. A nation's education system cannot be viewed in a vacuum. Social, political, and economic pressures are all involved in shaping education systems and determining outcomes. Nations with a strong national tradition of education, for example, can have better outcomes with less funding than nations that have not historically valued education. Understanding cultural influences is also important when developing assessment and comparison techniques or working on education programs to introduce in new regions. What works in one nation will not necessarily translate to another.

Comparative education is used in the development of educational testing and the creation of new education programs and frameworks. Comparing different education systems can provide educators with ideas for revitalizing a system by incorporating elements of others, and will allow people to track progress over time. This can strengthen an education system in addition to creating an objective method of evaluation and study, providing meaningful data for people concerned about educational outcomes and techniques.

People interested in this field typically pursue graduate degrees in comparative education and may conduct extensive research over the course of their careers. Some work in academia after they obtain their degrees, while others may work for government agencies, schools, education ministries, and nongovernmental organizations interested in improving the quality of education in addition to expanding access to education. The type of work people in this field conduct is highly variable, and there is room in this discipline for researchers with a great deal of interests, from social psychology to international aid and development.