Which state pays subject-area teacher education bachelor's graduates the most?

New Jersey, where the median program pays its graduates $51,455 in their first year, the highest of 28 state rankings. Texas is next, at $51,360.

Which subject-area teacher education bachelor's program pays the most?

Northeastern Illinois University in Illinois reports the highest first-year pay of the 340 programs ranked here, $63,615. Its median federal debt is $25,250.

How much debt do subject-area teacher education bachelor's graduates have?

The median program leaves its graduates with $26,269 in federal debt. Across programs, the median debt is 60% of first-year pay.

Highest-Paying Subject-Area Teacher Education (Bachelor's) Programs in the US

341 programs report first-year pay
28 state rankings
Bachelor's in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

College Scorecard June 2026 release · BLS wages May 2025

The short answer

The median subject-area teacher education bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $43,242 in their first year and $50,239 five years after. New Jersey has the highest state median ($51,455), and Louisiana the lowest ($28,746). The median program leaves its graduates with $26,269 in federal debt.

Median first-year pay$43,242Across 341 programs

Median pay after 5 years$50,239Across 351 programs

Median federal debt$26,269Across 332 programs

Debt-to-earnings60%Across 313 programs

All 340 programs, ranked by graduate pay

Each program is ranked by the median pay of its graduates one year after they finished, from College Scorecard. This measures what graduates earn, not how good the teaching is. Pay also depends on where graduates live and work. Programs that don't report a figure are listed last when you sort by it.

#	School	Year 1 pay	After cost of living	Year 5 pay	Debt	Debt to pay
1	Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL · public	$63,615	$63,642	Not reported	$25,250	40%
2	Queens CollegeQueens, NY · public	$58,894	$54,571	$69,509	$16,000	27%
3	William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · public	$58,854	$54,091	$62,718	$31,000	53%
4	Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · private nonprofit	$58,604	$60,381	$50,974	Not reported	Not reported
5	Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA · private nonprofit	$57,683	Not adjusted	Not reported	$29,740	52%
6	TCUFort Worth, TX · private nonprofit	$57,665	$59,414	$56,790	$26,500	46%
7	University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · public	$56,188	$62,321	$56,902	$22,250	40%
8	TCNJEwing, NJ · public	$56,055	$51,519	$65,228	$26,000	46%
9	UC IrvineIrvine, CA · public	$56,003	$50,581	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
10	Washington StatePullman, WA · public	$55,864	$52,203	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
11	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · public	$54,215	Not adjusted	$63,679	$21,182	39%
12	FAUBoca Raton, FL · public	$53,524	$51,757	$55,262	$27,516	51%
13	Baylor UniversityWaco, TX · private nonprofit	$53,201	$54,814	$56,406	$27,000	51%
14	Rider UniversityLawrenceville, NJ · private nonprofit	$52,940	$48,656	$53,684	$27,000	51%
15	William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS · private nonprofit	$52,790	Not adjusted	Not reported	$25,524	48%
16	Saint Edward's UniversityAustin, TX · private nonprofit	$52,758	$54,358	$55,525	$26,000	49%
17	Utah Tech UniversitySaint George, UT · public	$52,665	Not adjusted	$43,796	Not reported	Not reported
18	University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton, TX · private nonprofit	$52,133	$53,714	$56,495	$27,000	52%
19	Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA · private nonprofit	$51,601	$51,038	$50,178	$27,000	52%
20	Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX · private nonprofit	$51,360	$52,917	$55,185	$27,000	53%
21	Towson UniversityTowson, MD · public	$51,209	$48,790	$56,996	$21,500	42%
22	Oklahoma StateStillwater, OK · public	$51,097	$58,169	$52,976	$23,102	45%
23	Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA · private nonprofit	$50,918	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	53%
24	Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg, PA · private nonprofit	$50,825	$52,090	$50,981	$27,000	53%
25	Nevada StateHenderson, NV · public	$50,691	$50,702	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
26	Florida StateTallahassee, FL · public	$50,610	$48,939	$51,417	$22,500	44%
27	Weber StateOgden, UT · public	$50,600	$51,181	$51,390	$26,767	53%
28	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeTifton, GA · public	$50,429	$52,370	Not reported	$26,250	52%
29	Penn StateUniversity Park, PA · public	$50,006	$51,250	$53,731	$26,000	52%
30	Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · public	$49,969	$45,925	$57,060	$27,000	54%
31	City TechBrooklyn, NY · public	$49,750	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
31	Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · private nonprofit	$49,750	$49,207	$50,655	$23,250	47%
33	Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · private nonprofit	$49,725	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
34	University of WyomingLaramie, WY · public	$49,587	$53,497	$55,537	$18,500	37%
35	Valley City StateValley City, ND · public	$49,582	$55,736	$51,811	$26,041	53%
36	St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL · public	$49,435	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
37	Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT · public	$49,297	$49,863	$50,438	$18,715	38%
38	Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA · private nonprofit	$49,263	Not adjusted	$48,541	$27,000	55%
39	Hunter CollegeNew York, NY · public	$49,245	$45,631	$74,538	$12,000	24%
40	Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · private nonprofit	$49,186	Not adjusted	$59,000	$26,664	54%
41	Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA · public	$49,177	$45,954	$62,919	$23,377	48%
42	University of DelawareNewark, DE · public	$49,041	$49,135	$62,033	$26,298	54%
43	York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · private nonprofit	$48,624	$49,834	Not reported	$27,000	56%
44	Hardin-Simmons UniversityAbilene, TX · private nonprofit	$48,334	$49,800	$54,297	$27,709	57%
45	Texas Lutheran UniversitySeguin, TX · private nonprofit	$48,266	$49,730	$56,048	$27,000	56%
46	Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY · private nonprofit	$48,249	$44,708	$59,738	$26,500	55%
47	Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN · private nonprofit	$48,164	$48,837	$52,263	$27,000	56%
48	Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL · private nonprofit	$48,139	$46,550	Not reported	$27,000	56%
49	North Central CollegeNaperville, IL · private nonprofit	$48,074	$48,094	Not reported	$27,000	56%
50	Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · private nonprofit	$48,056	Not adjusted	$54,745	Not reported	Not reported
51	Southeastern UniversityLakeland, FL · private nonprofit	$47,966	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,000	54%
52	St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN · private nonprofit	$47,807	Not adjusted	$57,128	$27,000	56%
53	University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · private nonprofit	$47,783	$51,198	$49,478	$27,000	57%
54	IU IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · public	$47,755	$51,168	$52,829	$26,000	54%
55	University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK · public	$47,741	$54,348	$51,142	$25,000	52%
56	Eastern Connecticut StateWillimantic, CT · public	$47,736	$46,073	$54,386	$29,000	61%
57	USFTampa, FL · public	$47,698	$46,123	$51,927	$20,375	43%
58	Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA · public	$47,684	$54,059	$45,766	$25,250	53%
59	Mayville StateMayville, ND · public	$47,650	Not adjusted	$55,578	Not reported	Not reported
60	University of FloridaGainesville, FL · public	$47,572	$46,002	$51,336	$15,275	32%
60	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · public	$47,572	$54,156	$50,523	$25,500	54%
62	Iowa StateAmes, IA · public	$47,559	$54,191	$54,845	$19,000	40%
63	University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · public	$47,544	$47,554	Not reported	$20,769	44%
64	Black Hills StateSpearfish, SD · public	$47,494	Not adjusted	$51,966	Not reported	Not reported
65	Bethel University (Indiana)Mishawaka, IN · private nonprofit	$47,387	Not adjusted	$45,879	Not reported	Not reported
66	UICChicago, IL · public	$47,292	$47,312	$59,699	$17,125	36%
67	Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth, TX · private nonprofit	$47,272	$48,705	Not reported	$35,550	75%
68	Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN · private nonprofit	$47,250	$47,911	$51,678	Not reported	Not reported
69	McMurry UniversityAbilene, TX · private nonprofit	$47,240	$48,672	Not reported	$28,901	61%
70	UW-StoutMenomonie, WI · public	$47,230	$50,194	$53,835	$24,500	52%
71	University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL · public	$47,219	$45,660	$52,853	Not reported	Not reported
72	BYUProvo, UT · private nonprofit	$47,153	$47,695	$52,995	$9,117	19%
73	Wichita StateWichita, KS · public	$47,121	$52,317	$45,796	$22,145	47%
74	North Dakota StateFargo, ND · public	$46,970	$52,800	$50,243	$25,485	54%
75	UIUCChampaign, IL · public	$46,897	$46,917	$50,026	$21,500	46%
76	Saint Xavier UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$46,835	$46,855	$56,747	$27,194	58%
77	Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE · public	$46,824	$51,967	$51,833	$24,943	53%
78	Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL · private nonprofit	$46,789	$46,809	$58,102	$27,000	58%
79	Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso, IN · private nonprofit	$46,750	$50,092	Not reported	$27,000	58%
80	Anderson University (Indiana)Anderson, IN · private nonprofit	$46,637	$49,971	$49,663	$29,137	62%
81	Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PA · private nonprofit	$46,600	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	58%
82	Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · public	$46,579	$46,266	$51,542	$22,009	47%
83	Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN · public	$46,490	$47,140	$68,407	$27,984	60%
84	Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA · public	$46,458	$52,669	$50,756	$27,962	60%
85	Florida Southern CollegeLakeland, FL · private nonprofit	$46,418	$44,886	Not reported	$27,000	58%
86	Ball StateMuncie, IN · public	$46,347	$49,660	$53,195	$24,998	54%
87	Montclair StateMontclair, NJ · public	$46,343	$42,593	$57,234	$27,000	58%
88	Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · public	$46,233	$42,840	$72,392	$13,178	29%
89	Grand Valley StateAllendale, MI · public	$46,124	$47,937	$51,809	$30,750	67%
90	Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · private nonprofit	$46,069	$52,445	Not reported	$27,000	59%
90	UW-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · public	$46,069	$48,960	$48,600	$27,000	59%
92	Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · public	$46,019	$47,164	$53,579	$26,000	56%
93	Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI · private nonprofit	$45,974	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	59%
94	UW-MadisonMadison, WI · public	$45,966	$48,851	$46,338	$27,000	59%
95	Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood, TX · private nonprofit	$45,891	$47,283	$46,147	$24,467	53%
96	Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA · private nonprofit	$45,890	$47,032	$55,424	$27,000	59%
97	Indiana StateTerre Haute, IN · public	$45,862	$49,140	$46,163	$27,000	59%
98	Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · public	$45,808	$43,644	$55,504	$24,240	53%
99	Central Connecticut StateNew Britain, CT · public	$45,790	$44,195	$57,482	$25,000	55%
100	University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · public	$45,786	$50,815	$51,736	$23,000	50%
101	Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA · private nonprofit	$45,677	$52,046	$52,111	$27,000	59%
102	Bemidji StateBemidji, MN · public	$45,668	$46,307	$48,268	$23,389	51%
103	South Dakota StateBrookings, SD · public	$45,625	Not adjusted	$51,722	$26,000	57%
104	Morningside UniversitySioux City, IA · private nonprofit	$45,552	$51,904	$51,164	$28,000	61%
105	University of IdahoMoscow, ID · public	$45,327	$47,466	$51,940	$29,000	64%
106	University of Mount OliveMount Olive, NC · private nonprofit	$45,316	$48,042	$45,467	$26,889	59%
107	Lee UniversityCleveland, TN · private nonprofit	$45,248	$49,252	$45,840	$29,625	65%
108	Kennesaw StateKennesaw, GA · public	$45,243	$46,985	$51,577	$26,500	59%
109	NC StateRaleigh, NC · public	$45,211	$47,931	$57,040	$25,000	55%
110	Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · public	$45,184	$45,203	$53,340	$26,746	59%
111	Kansas StateManhattan, KS · public	$45,179	$50,161	Not reported	$22,814	50%
112	Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · private nonprofit	$45,145	$45,164	$48,710	$27,000	60%
113	Hope CollegeHolland, MI · private nonprofit	$45,137	$46,912	$49,887	$27,000	60%
114	University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT · private nonprofit	$45,125	Not adjusted	$59,156	$27,000	60%
115	SUNY College at PotsdamPotsdam, NY · public	$45,110	$41,799	$58,851	$27,000	60%
116	George MasonFairfax, VA · public	$45,108	$44,615	$60,030	$24,250	54%
117	Southern Utah UniversityCedar City, UT · public	$45,042	$45,560	$52,567	$16,500	37%
118	New Mexico StateLas Cruces, NM · public	$45,016	$48,818	$50,639	$15,112	34%
119	Ferris StateBig Rapids, MI · public	$44,977	$46,745	$48,907	$29,076	65%
120	Minot StateMinot, ND · public	$44,973	$50,555	$52,934	$28,324	63%
121	WGUSalt Lake City, UT · private nonprofit	$44,958	Not adjusted	$50,239	$25,145	56%
122	PurdueWest Lafayette, IN · public	$44,923	$48,134	$56,250	$19,500	43%
123	Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · public	$44,897	$50,547	$52,004	$23,600	53%
124	Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · private nonprofit	$44,872	$51,129	$45,965	$27,000	60%
125	Minnesota State MoorheadMoorhead, MN · public	$44,850	$45,477	$50,414	$29,750	66%
126	UM-DearbornDearborn, MI · public	$44,845	$46,608	$49,881	$31,000	69%
127	Southern Arkansas UniversityMagnolia, AR · public	$44,843	$51,581	Not reported	$12,000	27%
128	Dickinson StateDickinson, ND · public	$44,841	Not adjusted	$49,935	Not reported	Not reported
129	Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · public	$44,789	$43,791	$54,765	$29,659	66%
130	SNHUManchester, NH · private nonprofit	$44,738	$42,949	$48,088	$27,000	60%
131	University of IowaIowa City, IA · public	$44,715	$50,950	$50,407	$25,000	56%
132	Illinois StateNormal, IL · public	$44,613	$44,632	$55,738	$24,149	54%
133	Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, IL · private nonprofit	$44,601	Not adjusted	$50,231	$27,000	61%
134	Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA · private nonprofit	$44,551	$50,763	$52,766	$29,008	65%
135	Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights, IL · private nonprofit	$44,538	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	61%
136	NYUNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$44,500	Not adjusted	$81,552	$25,403	57%
137	University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · public	$44,450	$44,151	$47,408	$25,340	57%
138	Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · public	$44,376	$44,395	$51,486	Not reported	Not reported
139	University of St Thomas (Minnesota)Saint Paul, MN · private nonprofit	$44,360	$44,980	$52,540	$27,000	61%
140	UW-La CrosseLa Crosse, WI · public	$44,281	$47,060	$50,961	$29,000	65%
141	UW-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · public	$44,161	$46,932	Not reported	$28,500	65%
142	Oklahoma Baptist UniversityShawnee, OK · private nonprofit	$44,135	$50,243	$49,539	$21,250	48%
143	DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$44,068	$44,087	$55,614	$26,910	61%
144	Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais, IL · private nonprofit	$44,032	$44,051	$49,257	$27,000	61%
145	Taylor UniversityUpland, IN · private nonprofit	$44,028	Not adjusted	$43,823	$21,500	49%
146	Winona StateWinona, MN · public	$44,002	$44,617	$50,609	$26,762	61%
147	Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · public	$43,996	$45,726	$49,750	$29,000	66%
148	Emporia StateEmporia, KS · public	$43,954	$48,801	$46,340	$22,500	51%
149	Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL · private nonprofit	$43,936	$43,954	$49,259	$27,000	61%
150	Southwest Minnesota StateMarshall, MN · public	$43,875	$44,488	Not reported	$29,000	66%
151	Saint Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI · private nonprofit	$43,829	$46,580	$49,985	$24,889	57%
152	Pittsburg StatePittsburg, KS · public	$43,802	$48,632	$49,676	$24,125	55%
153	Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA · private nonprofit	$43,739	$49,838	$48,825	$27,000	62%
154	Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · private nonprofit	$43,737	$43,755	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
155	North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC · private nonprofit	$43,644	$46,554	$41,578	$19,271	44%
156	Bethel University (Minnesota)Saint Paul, MN · private nonprofit	$43,639	$44,249	$46,750	$22,250	51%
157	University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · public	$43,618	Not adjusted	$47,924	Not reported	Not reported
158	East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · public	$43,607	$46,230	$47,784	$26,000	60%
159	University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · public	$43,602	$49,682	$47,443	$26,000	60%
160	Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MI · public	$43,585	$45,299	$48,009	$28,550	66%
161	Purdue Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · public	$43,576	$46,691	Not reported	$30,000	69%
162	Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · public	$43,443	$45,151	$48,861	$27,000	62%
163	University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA · public	$43,308	$44,975	$51,938	$27,000	62%
164	Minnesota State MankatoMankato, MN · public	$43,307	$43,913	$50,134	$26,082	60%
165	Southwestern Oklahoma StateWeatherford, OK · public	$43,302	$49,295	$50,236	$25,000	58%
166	Albion CollegeAlbion, MI · private nonprofit	$43,301	$45,003	Not reported	$26,047	60%
167	University of MaryBismarck, ND · private nonprofit	$43,299	$48,673	Not reported	$27,399	63%
168	Saint Cloud StateSaint Cloud, MN · public	$43,279	$43,884	$47,213	$30,795	71%
169	Fort Hays StateHays, KS · public	$43,273	$48,045	$53,261	$23,082	53%
170	UW-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · public	$43,242	$45,956	Not reported	$25,225	58%
171	University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · public	$43,129	$44,789	$51,750	$20,750	48%
172	UW-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · public	$43,128	$45,835	$44,601	$27,750	64%
173	VanderCook College of MusicChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$43,100	$43,118	$55,898	$27,000	63%
174	Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · private nonprofit	$43,086	$47,819	Not reported	$23,670	55%
175	UM-FlintFlint, MI · public	$43,077	$44,771	$45,530	$31,000	72%
176	IU South BendSouth Bend, IN · public	$43,058	$46,136	$48,355	$26,498	62%
177	Northeastern StateTahlequah, OK · public	$43,045	$49,002	$49,966	$26,000	60%
178	UNC GreensboroGreensboro, NC · public	$43,033	$45,622	Not reported	$26,000	60%
179	Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL · private nonprofit	$42,917	$42,935	$50,604	$27,000	63%
180	Concordia University-WisconsinMequon, WI · private nonprofit	$42,845	$45,534	$46,891	$28,500	67%
181	UNC PembrokePembroke, NC · public	$42,829	$45,405	$47,095	$26,660	62%
182	Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA · public	$42,795	$39,990	$65,749	$26,000	61%
183	Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · private nonprofit	$42,737	$44,417	$50,391	$26,022	61%
184	Wayne State CollegeWayne, NE · public	$42,589	$47,267	$49,237	$25,957	61%
185	East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · public	$42,566	$43,625	$54,180	$27,000	63%
185	GCUPhoenix, AZ · private nonprofit	$42,566	$42,280	$49,950	$25,250	59%
187	University of South DakotaVermillion, SD · public	$42,543	$48,025	$48,120	$27,000	63%
188	Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · private nonprofit	$42,515	$44,187	$47,695	$29,000	68%
189	Keene State CollegeKeene, NH · public	$42,492	Not adjusted	$49,716	$25,500	60%
190	Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · public	$42,468	$44,138	$49,919	$29,000	68%
191	Athens StateAthens, AL · public	$42,403	$47,739	$51,026	$25,116	59%
192	Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · public	$42,373	$44,039	$47,156	$31,000	73%
193	UW-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · public	$42,256	$44,908	$51,631	$26,875	64%
194	Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · private nonprofit	$42,222	$45,958	$43,731	$25,075	59%
195	Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI · private nonprofit	$42,172	$43,830	$48,173	$28,360	67%
196	SUNY CortlandCortland, NY · public	$42,132	$39,040	$62,533	$25,837	61%
197	Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI · private nonprofit	$42,118	$43,774	$48,472	$30,994	74%
198	University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA · public	$42,102	Not adjusted	$53,068	Not reported	Not reported
199	Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · private nonprofit	$42,099	$45,108	$48,991	$24,875	59%
200	BYU-IdahoRexburg, ID · private nonprofit	$42,094	Not adjusted	$44,333	$13,680	32%
201	University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NE · public	$42,001	$46,614	$51,268	$26,287	63%
202	Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO · public	$41,954	$40,711	Not reported	$28,000	67%
203	University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · public	$41,952	$42,539	$49,115	$28,000	67%
204	Ohio StateColumbus, OH · public	$41,944	$45,211	$49,306	$23,250	55%
205	College of Staten IslandStaten Island, NY · public	$41,942	$38,864	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
206	Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · public	$41,914	$39,167	$60,209	$23,009	55%
207	Marywood UniversityScranton, PA · private nonprofit	$41,848	Not adjusted	$53,054	$27,000	65%
208	Mississippi StateMississippi State, MS · public	$41,658	$47,909	$49,074	$15,750	38%
209	Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME · private nonprofit	$41,584	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
210	University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · public	$41,562	$47,807	$45,778	$26,000	63%
211	Arkansas StateJonesboro, AR · public	$41,530	$47,770	$45,755	$25,134	61%
212	Bowling Green StateBowling Green, OH · public	$41,509	$44,742	$46,039	$27,000	65%
213	Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · public	$41,444	$43,937	$47,600	$25,500	62%
214	Wingate UniversityWingate, NC · private nonprofit	$41,245	$43,726	$51,005	$26,614	65%
215	Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR · public	$41,160	$47,345	$44,636	$24,000	58%
216	Boise StateBoise, ID · public	$41,141	$43,082	$49,857	$27,880	68%
217	University of VermontBurlington, VT · public	$41,099	$41,956	$53,836	$20,500	50%
218	Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · public	$41,063	$42,644	$54,142	$27,000	66%
219	Plymouth StatePlymouth, NH · public	$41,035	$39,394	$45,500	$27,000	66%
220	Appalachian StateBoone, NC · public	$41,018	$43,485	$46,827	$21,614	53%
221	Kean UniversityUnion, NJ · public	$40,929	$37,617	$66,297	$29,625	72%
222	Cal Poly PomonaPomona, CA · public	$40,884	$36,926	$63,425	$21,250	52%
223	St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY · private nonprofit	$40,790	$37,796	$62,852	$26,944	66%
224	Valdosta StateValdosta, GA · public	$40,642	$42,207	$46,175	Not reported	Not reported
225	Columbus StateColumbus, GA · public	$40,616	$42,180	$48,884	$28,040	69%
226	Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC · private nonprofit	$40,612	$43,320	$46,903	$27,323	67%
227	University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC · public	$40,596	$43,303	$41,608	$23,780	59%
228	Reinhardt UniversityWaleska, GA · private nonprofit	$40,566	$42,128	Not reported	$30,000	74%
229	University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR · public	$40,525	$46,614	$44,674	$16,500	41%
230	University of KansasLawrence, KS · public	$40,495	Not adjusted	Not reported	$24,174	60%
231	Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · private nonprofit	$40,489	Not adjusted	$46,567	$27,000	67%
232	NC A&TGreensboro, NC · public	$40,465	$42,899	Not reported	$23,038	57%
233	Anderson University (South Carolina)Anderson, SC · private nonprofit	$40,445	$43,142	$42,775	$27,000	67%
234	Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · public	$40,394	$43,087	$45,156	$23,250	58%
235	IU BloomingtonBloomington, IN · public	$40,364	$43,249	$50,736	$20,500	51%
236	Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, OH · private nonprofit	$40,306	$43,445	Not reported	$27,000	67%
237	Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY · private nonprofit	$40,191	$37,241	$66,446	$26,500	66%
237	University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul, MN · private nonprofit	$40,191	$40,753	$46,232	$27,000	67%
239	University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO · public	$40,113	$38,925	$46,181	$23,125	58%
240	UW-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · public	$40,005	$42,516	$43,771	$25,719	64%
241	Ole MissUniversity, MS · public	$39,985	$45,985	$39,929	$21,000	53%
242	University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · private nonprofit	$39,899	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
243	Miami UniversityOxford, OH · public	$39,817	$42,918	$47,090	$24,560	62%
244	University of MissouriColumbia, MO · public	$39,755	$43,775	Not reported	$17,654	44%
245	SUNY New PaltzNew Paltz, NY · public	$39,714	$36,799	$59,452	$24,293	61%
246	Western Connecticut StateDanbury, CT · public	$39,696	$38,313	$51,330	$27,000	68%
247	SUNY OswegoOswego, NY · public	$39,689	$36,776	$57,669	$24,452	62%
248	UW-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · public	$39,673	$42,163	$52,202	$26,000	66%
249	Mississippi Christian UniversityClinton, MS · private nonprofit	$39,558	$45,494	$42,434	$26,000	66%
250	USC UpstateSpartanburg, SC · public	$39,511	$42,146	Not reported	$31,000	78%
251	Montana State University BillingsBillings, MT · public	$39,422	$41,652	$49,293	Not reported	Not reported
252	Massachusetts College of Art and DesignBoston, MA · public	$39,251	Not adjusted	$54,844	$27,000	69%
253	Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · public	$38,821	$38,837	$53,628	$28,866	74%
254	Walsh UniversityNorth Canton, OH · private nonprofit	$38,609	$41,616	$44,154	$27,000	70%
255	Montana StateBozeman, MT · public	$38,576	$40,759	$49,990	$24,000	62%
256	Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY · private nonprofit	$38,556	$35,726	$65,261	$23,517	61%
257	Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH · private nonprofit	$38,378	Not adjusted	Not reported	$21,000	55%
258	Bridgewater StateBridgewater, MA · public	$38,216	$36,136	$52,423	$27,000	71%
259	Missouri StateSpringfield, MO · public	$38,211	$42,075	$47,283	$30,294	79%
260	University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT · public	$38,151	$40,310	$49,711	$22,557	59%
261	Henderson StateArkadelphia, AR · public	$38,106	$43,832	Not reported	$26,000	68%
262	University of MemphisMemphis, TN · public	$37,999	$41,362	$45,592	$21,747	57%
263	Blue Mountain Christian UniversityBlue Mountain, MS · private nonprofit	$37,760	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
264	Utah StateLogan, UT · public	$37,521	$37,952	$60,160	$14,757	39%
265	SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY · public	$37,167	$34,439	$52,858	$26,000	70%
266	Culver-Stockton CollegeCanton, MO · private nonprofit	$37,077	$40,826	Not reported	$29,517	80%
267	Northwest Missouri StateMaryville, MO · public	$37,057	$40,804	$43,088	$26,221	71%
268	College of the OzarksPoint Lookout, MO · private nonprofit	$37,042	$40,788	$30,444	Not reported	Not reported
269	Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PA · private nonprofit	$36,936	$37,855	$47,182	$27,000	73%
270	Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · public	$36,830	$40,850	$41,362	$30,375	82%
271	Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA · public	$36,800	$37,716	$54,421	$27,000	73%
272	SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY · public	$36,776	$34,077	$66,871	$19,032	52%
273	SUNY FredoniaFredonia, NY · public	$36,276	$33,613	$49,975	$27,000	74%
274	Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC · private nonprofit	$36,109	Not adjusted	$41,008	$17,000	47%
275	Kent StateKent, OH · public	$35,860	$38,653	$47,225	$26,750	75%
276	Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY · private nonprofit	$35,814	$33,185	$67,494	$25,972	73%
277	University of MaineOrono, ME · public	$35,764	$36,851	$50,136	$27,000	75%
278	Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · public	$35,740	$39,641	$40,497	$19,750	55%
279	Idaho StatePocatello, ID · public	$35,629	$37,310	$51,383	$23,199	65%
280	Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO · private nonprofit	$35,507	$39,097	Not reported	$25,762	73%
281	University of KentuckyLexington, KY · public	$35,282	$39,133	$52,644	$24,002	68%
282	Morgan StateBaltimore, MD · public	$35,254	$33,588	$50,801	$33,869	96%
283	Morehead StateMorehead, KY · public	$35,150	$38,987	Not reported	$29,225	83%
284	University of AkronAkron, OH · public	$35,111	$37,846	$46,247	$27,000	77%
285	Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO · private nonprofit	$34,872	Not adjusted	$38,371	$30,175	87%
286	University of Southern MainePortland, ME · public	$34,843	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,500	76%
287	VCURichmond, VA · public	$34,677	$34,298	$52,617	$26,901	78%
288	Buffalo StateBuffalo, NY · public	$34,646	$32,103	$47,811	$25,000	72%
289	Wayne StateDetroit, MI · public	$34,590	$35,950	$50,327	$26,000	75%
290	SUNY College at GeneseoGeneseo, NY · public	$34,435	$31,908	Not reported	$23,000	67%
291	Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC · public	$34,418	$36,713	$41,444	$27,000	78%
292	Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City, OK · private nonprofit	$34,321	Not adjusted	$48,825	$26,000	76%
293	Ashland UniversityAshland, OH · private nonprofit	$34,223	$36,889	$45,775	$27,000	79%
294	Southeast Missouri StateCape Girardeau, MO · public	$34,206	$37,665	$38,822	$21,748	64%
295	Delta StateCleveland, MS · public	$34,177	$39,305	Not reported	$22,500	66%
296	Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · public	$33,690	$33,322	$50,910	$25,000	74%
297	Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY · public	$33,673	Not adjusted	$48,220	$29,000	86%
298	Cal State FullertonFullerton, CA · public	$33,493	$30,250	$73,048	$15,000	45%
299	UCFOrlando, FL · public	$33,471	$32,366	$50,972	$21,088	63%
300	Youngstown StateYoungstown, OH · public	$33,398	$35,999	$44,174	$26,751	80%
301	University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · public	$33,198	$36,555	$39,521	$25,741	78%
302	Missouri Western StateSaint Joseph, MO · public	$33,183	$36,538	Not reported	$24,704	74%
303	Wright StateDayton, OH · public	$33,137	$35,718	$44,788	$26,000	78%
304	St. John's UniversityQueens, NY · private nonprofit	$32,643	Not adjusted	$62,023	$25,000	77%
305	Capital UniversityColumbus, OH · private nonprofit	$32,597	$35,136	$49,188	$27,000	83%
306	Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount Vernon, OH · private nonprofit	$32,508	$35,040	$47,840	$27,000	83%
307	University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · public	$32,184	Not adjusted	$63,203	$23,250	72%
308	UABBirmingham, AL · public	$32,093	$36,131	$47,189	$24,573	77%
309	Rockford UniversityRockford, IL · private nonprofit	$31,892	Not adjusted	$45,315	$30,875	97%
310	Radford UniversityRadford, VA · public	$31,071	$30,732	$49,903	$25,523	82%
311	South Carolina StateOrangeburg, SC · public	$30,676	$32,721	$40,526	$31,841	104%
312	FIUMiami, FL · public	$30,578	$29,569	$48,429	$18,802	61%
313	University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR · public	$30,536	$35,124	$38,111	$25,984	85%
314	Eastern New Mexico UniversityPortales, NM · public	$30,513	Not adjusted	$54,215	$18,500	61%
315	University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM · public	$29,997	$32,530	$58,497	$14,250	48%
316	Southern Connecticut StateNew Haven, CT · public	$29,653	$28,620	$52,973	$24,875	84%
317	Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO · private nonprofit	$29,554	Not adjusted	Not reported	$32,500	110%
318	Ferrum CollegeFerrum, VA · private nonprofit	$29,100	$28,782	$48,774	$31,000	107%
319	UL LafayetteLafayette, LA · public	$28,746	$32,589	$48,548	$26,000	90%
320	Jackson StateJackson, MS · public	$28,678	$32,981	$39,466	$28,875	101%
321	Winston-Salem StateWinston-Salem, NC · public	$28,557	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
322	University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · public	$28,391	$31,964	$53,220	$25,000	88%
323	University of MontanaMissoula, MT · public	$28,298	Not adjusted	$46,905	Not reported	Not reported
324	University of La VerneLa Verne, CA · private nonprofit	$27,616	$24,942	$52,345	$23,533	85%
325	WVUMorgantown, WV · public	$27,547	Not adjusted	$50,557	$25,242	92%
326	Fresno StateFresno, CA · public	$27,211	$24,576	$59,795	$15,000	55%
327	Georgia StateAtlanta, GA · public	$26,967	$28,005	$48,032	$28,687	106%
328	University of South AlabamaMobile, AL · public	$26,888	$30,271	$46,909	$27,000	100%
329	Virginia StatePetersburg, VA · public	$26,547	$26,257	$42,669	$30,000	113%
330	Langston UniversityLangston, OK · public	$26,222	$29,851	$41,553	$31,000	118%
331	UConnStorrs, CT · public	$25,777	Not adjusted	$59,551	$25,000	97%
332	University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA · public	$25,599	$26,236	$63,142	$26,176	102%
333	Kentucky StateFrankfort, KY · public	$25,378	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,436	104%
334	LSUBaton Rouge, LA · public	$24,882	$28,209	$64,446	$22,728	91%
335	Chico StateChico, CA · public	$24,427	Not adjusted	Not reported	$21,429	88%
336	Lane CollegeJackson, TN · private nonprofit	$24,128	Not adjusted	Not reported	$36,881	153%
337	Grambling StateGrambling, LA · public	$22,864	Not adjusted	$40,481	$37,449	164%
338	UPR MayaguezMayaguez, PR · public	$19,607	Not adjusted	$21,058	$11,200	57%
339	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey CampusSan Juan, PR · private nonprofit	$14,715	Not adjusted	$24,017	$14,000	95%
340	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusGurabo, PR · private nonprofit	$14,646	Not adjusted	$29,339	$16,647	114%

Pay after cost of living divides first-year pay by the Bureau of Economic Analysis price level of the school's state, where the US average is 100. It is shown for 281 programs where at least half of the graduates who work are working in the school's state. The other 59, whose graduates mostly work in other states or whose state has no price level, are listed last when you sort by it.

28 programs report pay but not debt, so they are ranked only by pay.

College Scorecard withholds pay for programs with too few graduates, to protect their privacy, so those programs can't be ranked. One more program reports pay but isn't listed, because College Scorecard's school file doesn't name its school. The national medians above still count them.

Subject-Area Teacher Education (Bachelor's) programs by state

Each row is the median across the state's subject-area teacher education bachelor's programs. State names link to the full ranking of that state's programs.

#	State	Programs	Year 1 pay	Debt
1	New Jersey	6	$51,455	$27,000
2	Texas	11	$51,360	$27,000
3	Florida	11	$47,698	$22,500
4	Utah	7	$47,153	$17,608
5	Indiana	14	$46,105	$26,249
6	Pennsylvania	13	$46,019	$27,000
7	Iowa	8	$44,794	$27,000
8	Illinois	21	$44,601	$27,000
9	Minnesota	15	$44,360	$27,000
10	Oklahoma	9	$44,135	$25,500
11	Kansas	6	$43,878	$23,082
12	Wisconsin	13	$43,829	$27,000
13	Michigan	16	$43,189	$29,000
14	Nebraska	5	$43,086	$24,943
15	Connecticut	6	$42,411	$26,000
16	North Carolina	10	$42,137	$26,000
17	Georgia	10	$41,583	$27,000
18	Arkansas	8	$40,843	$25,559
19	New York	22	$40,491	$25,905
20	South Carolina	9	$40,394	$27,000
21	Mississippi	7	$39,558	$24,012
22	Ohio	14	$37,119	$27,000
23	Missouri	11	$35,507	$25,992
24	Kentucky	7	$35,282	$26,436
25	Virginia	8	$34,184	$26,212
26	Alabama	5	$32,093	$25,058
27	California	6	$30,555	$21,875
28	Louisiana	5	$28,746	$26,000

Programs in 20 more states and territories report pay, but too few to rank. A state ranking needs at least five programs that report both pay and debt.

Quick picks nationwide

Lowest median debt

BYU, UT$9,117
Hunter College, NY$12,000
Southern Arkansas University, AR$12,000
Brooklyn College, NY$13,178
Utah State, UT$14,757
Cal State Fullerton, CA$15,000
Fresno State, CA$15,000
University of Florida, FL$15,275
Mississippi State, MS$15,750
Queens College, NY$16,000

Lowest debt for the pay

Only the 264 programs with their own page here are included. "Debt for the pay" is median debt divided by first-year pay.

Careers this field leads to

These are the jobs that the federal crosswalk from fields of study to occupations links to subject-area teacher education, largest first. Pay is the median across the US and all experience levels.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

$63,970

Median pay in the US. 1,388,390 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to stay about the same in number from 2025 to 2035, with about 87,500 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree.

Bottom 10%: $47,960Top 10%: $104,340

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$72,040

Median pay in the US. 1,065,210 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to stay about the same in number from 2025 to 2035, with about 63,500 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree.

Bottom 10%: $48,780Top 10%: $107,600

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$64,370

Median pay in the US. 620,090 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to stay about the same in number from 2025 to 2035, with about 38,800 openings a year. Typical education to start: bachelor's degree.

Bottom 10%: $48,080Top 10%: $102,540

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

$47,160

Median pay in the US. 322,930 people work in this job in the US. Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 68,000 openings a year. Typical education to start: high school diploma or equivalent.

Bottom 10%: $28,800Top 10%: $83,100

Common questions

The median subject-area teacher education bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $43,242 in their first year and $50,239 five years after.

About this data

Earnings and debt only include students who received federal financial aid, and earnings only count graduates who were working and not enrolled in more school.
Debt only includes federal loans. Private loans and credit cards are not counted.
Medians are across programs, not students: each program counts once, however many graduates it has.
National medians include every program in the 50 states, DC, and US territories, including schools that have since closed. Schools with several campuses that report one combined figure are counted once.
Programs are ranked by College Scorecard median pay one year after graduation. Pay after cost of living uses the price level of the school's state.
Scorecard figures describe graduating classes from several years ago. BLS wages are from May 2025. Price levels are the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for 2024.

Sources

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field of study and institution files, June 2026 release
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035
NCES, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024