Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at California State University-Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton's teacher education program graduates earn just $28,933 in their first year—30% below California's median for this degree and less than half what graduates from the state's top programs command. While the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper (graduates owe about half their annual salary), that's misleading when the salary itself is barely above poverty level. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many are counting on this credential to improve their economic situation, but these earnings fall in the 5th percentile nationally.

The modest saving grace is relatively low debt at $14,542, well below both the state median ($22,140) and national median ($26,000). Still, that amounts to roughly six months of gross earnings—a significant burden when living expenses consume most of a $29,000 salary. Within California, this program ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning more than half of teacher education programs in the state deliver better outcomes despite similar career paths and credential requirements.

For families banking on teaching as a stable middle-class profession, these numbers reveal a harsh reality: this particular program isn't positioning graduates for even average entry-level teacher salaries. Unless your child has specific reasons to choose this campus over California alternatives, they'll likely start their career at a significant disadvantage compared to peers who graduate from other state programs with comparable admission rates and similar student populations.