Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Augustana College

Augustana's teaching program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid liberal arts college—starting salaries slightly above both state and national averages, with manageable debt at $27,000. The 60th percentile ranking among Illinois programs is respectable, though it's worth noting that top programs in the state like Northeastern Illinois ($63,615) and SIU-Carbondale ($54,215) place graduates at significantly higher salary levels. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is healthy, meaning graduates earn enough in their first year to reasonably manage their loans.

The flat earnings trajectory between years one and four is typical for teaching positions, where salary schedules are predetermined and advancement comes slowly. This isn't a warning sign—it's simply how teacher compensation works. What matters more is whether $45,000 feels sustainable for a beginning teacher, and by that measure, Augustana graduates start from a stable position.

For parents considering this program, the key question is whether the liberal arts premium at Augustana justifies paying similar debt for middle-of-the-pack Illinois teacher salaries. If your child values the smaller classes and campus community here, the financials work. But if maximizing teaching income is the priority, several Illinois public universities offer better placement outcomes at comparable or lower cost.