Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Aspen University

Aspen University's teacher education program produces troubling outcomes that fall well below both Arizona and national standards. Graduates earn just $31,557 in their first year—roughly $10,000 less than Arizona's median for teaching programs and $10,000 below the national average. This places it in the bottom 5% nationally and bottom quarter statewide, while comparable Arizona programs at ASU and University of Arizona see graduates earning $47,000 or more. The $34,447 in median debt exceeds what graduates borrow at every other Arizona teaching program, creating a debt burden that nearly equals first-year earnings.

For teaching specifically, these numbers matter more than in many fields. Arizona teachers already face relatively low starting salaries compared to other states, and beginning nearly $35,000 in debt on a $31,000 income creates immediate financial strain. The low Pell grant percentage suggests this isn't primarily serving students who lack alternatives, which raises questions about why families would choose this path when Northern Arizona University graduates earn $45,000 with less debt, or even University of Phoenix graduates out-earn Aspen grads by $10,000.

If your child is committed to teaching in Arizona, this program makes little financial sense. Arizona State's and University of Arizona's programs deliver far better earnings with comparable or lower debt loads, and those credentials likely carry more weight with school districts.