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

Benedictine's teacher education program produces outcomes that lag behind most Illinois alternatives, with graduates earning about $4,000 less than the state median for this field. More troubling is the earnings trajectory: income actually declines from $42,407 in the first year to $40,659 by year four, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance or secure stable teaching positions. Among Illinois teacher prep programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning six out of ten similar programs in the state deliver better results.

The $26,000 debt load appears manageable at first glance, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61. However, context matters: nearby alternatives like Elmhurst University and Wheaton College produce graduates earning $6,000-$7,000 more annually with similar debt burdens. Even the University of Illinois Chicago, a public institution, shows graduates earning $18,000 more. The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) does introduce some uncertainty, but the gap between Benedictine and stronger Illinois programs is too wide to ignore.

For families committed to teaching careers, this program represents a significant opportunity cost. Illinois offers 48 teacher education programs, and most deliver stronger earning potential for similar or lower debt. Unless Benedictine offers specific advantages like location or teaching philosophy that align with your child's goals, exploring higher-performing alternatives in the state makes financial sense.