Education at Carson-Newman University

With estimated first-year earnings of $38,660 against $27,000 in debt, this education degree appears better positioned than many bachelor's programs, landing at a 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's manageable—less than one year's salary in debt—though it's worth noting these figures come from comparable education programs nationally rather than Carson-Newman's specific outcomes.

The estimated earnings actually exceed Tennessee's median for education degrees ($36,540), suggesting Carson-Newman may be competitive within the state despite its smaller scale. Education programs generally produce consistent, if modest, starting salaries since teacher pay scales are relatively standardized. The $27,000 debt estimate sits slightly above the national median for education majors but isn't alarming for a private institution.

The real question is whether your child is committed to teaching. Education degrees lead to predictable careers with steady employment but limited early earnings growth. If they're certain about the profession, these numbers work—the debt is serviceable on a teacher's salary and won't derail financial stability. But if they're exploring education as a backup plan or might pivot to other fields, that $27,000 becomes harder to justify when the degree doesn't open many doors outside the classroom.