Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Bristol Community College

Bristol Community College graduates in this teaching program start at $21,738—about $7,000 below the Massachusetts median and landing in just the 25th percentile statewide. That puts them roughly $10,000 behind graduates from Roxbury Community College and $6,000 behind those from nearby Northern Essex. The bright spot is the debt load: at $7,788, it's manageable and well below both state and national averages.

The earnings trajectory shows significant improvement, jumping 42% to $30,757 by year four. That's a positive sign for long-term prospects, though keep in mind the sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—so individual circumstances could sway these numbers considerably. The low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means graduates can reasonably manage their loans even during those leaner early years.

For families focused on affordability and minimal debt, Bristol delivers on that front. But if maximizing early-career earning potential matters—and in teaching, those first years often set salary trajectories—other Massachusetts community colleges show stronger outcomes. The 43% Pell Grant rate suggests Bristol serves many students for whom the low debt might outweigh the earnings gap, particularly if they're planning to continue their education. Just know that this specific credential appears to position graduates toward the lower end of what's possible in Massachusetts teaching roles.