Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Buena Vista University

Buena Vista's teaching program carries relatively high debt ($29,008) while producing earnings that lag behind most Iowa competitors. Starting at $44,551, graduates earn slightly above the national median but fall short of the state's typical $44,794—landing at just the 40th percentile among Iowa's 23 teacher education programs. More concerning, they're borrowing more than 93% of Iowa programs while earning less than most in-state alternatives like Iowa State ($47,559) or even nearby regional schools.

The debt burden tells a more positive story than it first appears. That 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in the 9th percentile nationally—meaning debt loads are actually lower than 91% of comparable programs. Teachers typically start with manageable salaries, so keeping borrowing under $30,000 matters. The 7% earnings growth to $47,754 by year four is modest but steady, reflecting standard teacher salary schedules rather than this program's specific outcomes.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it unreliable for major decisions. For Iowa families, the comparison is straightforward—you could attend Iowa State for similar or lower debt and start $3,000 higher. Unless Buena Vista offers unique advantages like smaller class sizes or specific subject area expertise your child values, the numbers suggest looking at higher-performing Iowa options first.