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

Augsburg's teacher education program posts results that fall below expectations for Minnesota—graduates earn about $42,500 statewide on average, while Augsburg alumni start at $39,536. That $3,000 gap places this program in just the 40th percentile among Minnesota education programs, trailing schools like Bethel, Concordia Moorhead, and even some state universities by $4,000-$7,000 annually. For parents evaluating the university's $31,000 median debt load (higher than the state's $26,735 median), these lower earnings create a tighter financial picture in those crucial early career years.

The modest 3% earnings growth to year four suggests graduate salaries move with standard teacher contract increases rather than rapid advancement. However, the sample size here is quite small—fewer than 30 graduates reported—which means these figures could shift considerably with more data. Augsburg does serve a predominantly Pell-eligible population (52%), so some graduates may prioritize staying in Minneapolis or working with specific communities over maximizing initial salary.

If your child is set on teaching and Augsburg offers the right campus environment or connections to Minneapolis schools, this path works financially—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 is manageable for education. But purely from a return-on-investment standpoint, several Minnesota programs deliver better starting salaries for similar or lower debt. Compare financial aid packages carefully before committing.