Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

At $23,210 in first-year earnings, this program earns about $2,600 less than the national median—but here's the twist: it actually ranks in the 60th percentile among Virginia teaching programs, where pay scales tend to run lower than the national average. The state's median for this credential is just $22,604, so Bryant & Stratton's graduates are clearing that bar. That said, $23,210 is barely above poverty wages, even for entry-level paraprofessional work in education, and substantially trails the national median.

The debt picture is more troubling. At $26,531, graduates carry nearly double the national median debt of $13,608, though it's roughly in line with what other Virginia schools charge for similar programs. With debt exceeding first-year earnings by $3,300, graduates will need several years of income growth to make payments manageable. Given that 62% of students here receive Pell grants, this debt burden hits a population that can least afford it.

For families considering this path: understand that associate's degrees in education typically lead to paraprofessional roles—teacher's aides, classroom assistants—not teaching positions. If your child ultimately wants to teach, they'll need a bachelor's degree anyway, potentially stacking more debt on top. This program might make sense as a stepping stone for someone already working in schools who needs credentials for advancement, but as a starting point for an 18-year-old, the combination of low earnings and high debt creates a difficult financial foundation.