Analysis
The $27,000 debt estimate aligns closely with typical education degrees nationally, but the projected $38,660 starting salary raises immediate questions for a Nebraska family. Other teacher preparation programs in the state—where actual graduate data is available—show first-year earnings ranging from $42,000 to nearly $69,000. That gap matters when you're facing loan payments of roughly $300 monthly on a standard repayment plan, which would consume about 9% of gross monthly income based on the estimated earnings figure.
Nebraska's teaching market generally pays well above the national median for education graduates, with the state median at $55,562. If Creighton's graduates land positions matching typical Nebraska outcomes rather than the national baseline used for this estimate, the financial picture brightens considerably. The university's 5% Pell grant enrollment and strong academic profile (1296 average SAT) suggest it serves a relatively advantaged student body, which can correlate with better career network access and placement outcomes.
Given the limited data for this specific program, the most practical step is contacting Creighton's education department directly to ask about graduate placement rates, average starting salaries for recent cohorts, and which Nebraska school districts typically hire their alumni. Those concrete details matter more than these peer-program estimates when you're writing a tuition check.
Where Creighton University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (5 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,000 | $38,660* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $8,886 | $68,730* | — | $26,556* | 0.39 | |
| $40,270 | $42,394* | $44,888 | $27,000* | 0.64 | |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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 Creighton University, approximately 5% 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 national median of 66 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.