Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at College of Central Florida

First-year earnings of $48,537 place College of Central Florida's education program well above the national median of $41,809, outperforming most teacher preparation programs across the country. However, these graduates sit in the middle of Florida's competitive education market, where the top programs cluster tightly in the $50,000-$51,000 range. The estimated $18,063 in debt—derived from similar Florida programs since this school's cohort was too small to report—translates to a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio, considerably better than the national median debt of $26,000 for education degrees.

The troubling element here is the negative earnings trajectory: graduates see their median income drop from $48,537 to $43,729 by year four, a 10% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. This could reflect the realities of Florida's teacher salary structure, part-time employment patterns, or graduates leaving the classroom—but it means the strong starting salary doesn't translate into medium-term financial stability.

For families weighing this program, the relatively low debt burden makes it financially accessible, particularly for the 40% of students receiving Pell grants. But parents should understand that their child's earnings may peak immediately after graduation rather than grow over time, which is unusual for a bachelor's degree and worth discussing with current teachers in Florida to understand what drives this pattern.