Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Clarks Summit University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,228

Est. from PA median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from PA median (8 programs)

Analysis

Similar teacher education programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $44,000 with debt near $27,000—placing Clarks Summit squarely at the state median. The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable for a teaching credential, meaning graduates would owe roughly 61 cents for every dollar earned in their first year. This aligns closely with the national benchmarks, where most teacher education bachelor's programs produce similar outcomes.

The challenge lies in the earnings ceiling. Pennsylvania's top programs—like Elizabethtown and Messiah—show first-year salaries reaching $50,000 or higher, creating a $6,000-$7,000 gap compared to the typical outcomes for programs like this one. In teaching, where salaries follow predictable scales, that early difference often compounds over a career. With nearly half of Clarks Summit students receiving Pell grants, the financial margin for error is slim.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether comparable teaching credentials could be obtained with less debt or stronger early placement. The estimated figures suggest average outcomes for Pennsylvania teacher education, but the limited data means you're relying on peer program performance rather than verified results from Clarks Summit itself. If your child is committed to teaching and values the institution's mission, this appears financially viable—just not exceptional.

Where Clarks Summit University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (55 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Clarks Summit UniversityClarks Summit	$32,400	$44,228*	—	$27,000*	—
Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown	$36,842	$50,918*	—	$27,000*	0.53
Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg	$40,640	$50,825*	$45,300	$27,000*	0.53
Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville	$50,320	$49,263*	$45,333	$27,000*	0.55
York College of PennsylvaniaYork	$24,606	$48,624*	—	$27,000*	0.56
Moravian UniversityBethlehem	$52,000	$46,600*	—	$27,000*	0.58
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Clarks Summit University, approximately 49% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 14 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.