Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Arkansas State University-Beebe

With a first-year salary of just $18,025, this program launches graduates below the poverty line, though the debt load of $7,000 is at least manageable—half what Arkansas students typically borrow for this credential and far below the national median. The 67% earnings jump to $30,014 by year four suggests graduates may initially work as paraprofessionals before moving into full teaching roles, but that starting point remains troublingly low, landing in just the 5th percentile nationally. Within Arkansas, where education wages run lower overall, this program sits near the state median (40th percentile), but even the top performer—Arkansas Northeastern College—only reaches $23,575.

The saving grace here is the minimal debt, which creates a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio that won't trap graduates in financial hardship. However, with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers may not reflect typical outcomes. For families considering this path, understand that you're looking at years of financial struggle early on, even if earnings eventually reach livable levels. If your child is set on education, this low-debt entry point beats borrowing $14,000+ elsewhere in Arkansas, but the delayed timeline to decent earnings means they'll need financial support during those first years.