Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Cornell College
Bachelor's Degree
cornellcollege.eduAnalysis
Cornell College's education program places graduates right at Iowa's median earnings but in the bottom half compared to other in-state programs. Starting at $42,756, graduates earn slightly above the national average but lag behind most Iowa competitors—Morningside's graduates earn $5,700 more in year one, and even the state's flagship universities consistently produce higher-earning teachers.
The real concern is what happens next: earnings flatline completely over four years, suggesting limited advancement opportunities or that graduates may be leaving the profession. Meanwhile, teachers from Luther College and Iowa State see their earnings climb. The debt picture is better news—at $27,000, it's manageable at 0.63 times first-year earnings, and places Cornell in the 25th percentile nationally for debt burden.
For families considering Iowa education programs, this data suggests looking elsewhere. You'll pay similar amounts in debt at institutions like Iowa State or Luther College while positioning your child for 7-10% higher earnings from day one. Unless Cornell's one-course-at-a-time block schedule offers unique value to your family, other Iowa programs deliver stronger returns for future teachers.
Where Cornell College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific levels and methods bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Cornell College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell College | $42,756 | $42,577 | -0% |
| Drake University | $41,630 | $46,094 | +11% |
| University of Iowa | $45,015 | $45,931 | +2% |
| Wartburg College | $44,999 | $45,894 | +2% |
| Grand View University | $46,547 | $44,928 | -3% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (27 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cornell CollegeMount Vernon | $50,634 | $42,756 | $42,577 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 Morningside UniversitySioux City | $38,190 | $48,478 | $43,020 | $27,000 | 0.56 |
 Grand View UniversityDes Moines | $33,450 | $46,547 | $44,928 | $27,000 | 0.58 |
 Luther CollegeDecorah | $50,320 | $45,691 | $40,953 | $27,000 | 0.59 |
 Iowa State UniversityAmes | $10,497 | $45,512 | $44,376 | $25,000 | 0.55 |
 University of IowaIowa City | $10,964 | $45,015 | $45,931 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
| National Median | — | $41,809 | — | $26,000 | 0.62 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific levels and methods graduates
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Training and Development Specialists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Teachers and Instructors, All Other
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
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 Cornell College, approximately 29% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 33 graduates with reported earnings and 39 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.