Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Community College of Vermont

Community College of Vermont's education associate program shows notably higher early earnings than the national median—$31,610 versus $25,120—placing it in the 95th percentile nationally. The debt load of $10,357 is reasonable for an associate degree, translating to about a third of first-year earnings. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, so treat them as a rough directional signal rather than a guarantee.

The earnings decline from year one to year four is the real concern here. Graduates see their median income drop from $31,610 to $27,361, a 13% slide that's unusual for any educational pathway. This could reflect the realities of Vermont's education job market, where paraprofessional positions may not offer clear advancement opportunities, or it might simply be statistical noise from the tiny cohort size.

For a parent weighing options, this program offers a low-cost entry point into education work with decent immediate earnings. But the lack of income growth suggests this associate degree may function more as a stepping stone than a destination—useful for getting your foot in the door while pursuing a bachelor's, less viable as a standalone credential for building a stable teaching career. The value hinges on whether your child plans to continue their education or needs to start earning quickly with minimal debt.