Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Bethany Lutheran College
Bachelor's Degree
blc.eduAnalysis
Minnesota's education programs cluster tightly around $42,000-$46,000 in starting earnings, and Bethany Lutheran appears to fall squarely in this range. Based on comparable teacher preparation programs in Minnesota, graduates here likely earn about $42,495 in their first year—essentially matching the state median for education majors. The estimated debt of $26,400 is also typical for Minnesota's private colleges offering this credential.
That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 is workable for a teaching career, where salaries follow predictable step increases and loan forgiveness programs exist for public school teachers. The challenge lies in Bethany Lutheran's small graduate cohort (hence the suppressed data), which means less certainty about outcomes. Top-performing programs in the state like Martin Luther College and University of Minnesota-Morris report $4,000-$5,000 higher starting salaries, suggesting meaningful variation exists even within Minnesota's teacher prep landscape.
For families committed to a faith-based teaching program at a small Lutheran college, these estimates suggest a standard financial picture for the field—manageable debt with modest but stable earnings ahead. However, without actual graduate outcomes from Bethany Lutheran itself, you're essentially betting that this program performs at the Minnesota median rather than below it. If cost is a significant concern, comparing the net price here against larger state universities with documented outcomes would be prudent.
Where Bethany Lutheran College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific levels and methods bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (29 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,010 | $42,495* | — | $26,400* | — | |
| $17,770 | $46,706* | $38,575 | $21,500* | 0.46 | |
| $14,288 | $46,414* | $41,789 | $24,767* | 0.53 | |
| $42,930 | $45,361* | $40,332 | $26,000* | 0.57 | |
| $30,020 | $44,195* | $44,319 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $9,490 | $44,171* | $41,039 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| National Median | — | $41,809* | — | $26,000* | 0.62 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific levels and methods graduates
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Training and Development Specialists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Teachers and Instructors, All Other
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bethany Lutheran College, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 24 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.