Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at DePaul University

DePaul's teacher education program lands squarely in the middle tier among Illinois options—earning slightly less than the state median while carrying typical debt levels. That 40th percentile state ranking tells a more sobering story than the 58th percentile national ranking suggests, especially when top Illinois programs like Northeastern Illinois produce graduates earning $63,615. At $51,978 four years out, DePaul graduates are making roughly $13,000 less annually than they would from the state's stronger programs, a gap that compounds significantly over a teaching career.

The financial fundamentals work adequately: a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe just over seven months' salary, manageable on a teacher's budget. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four is encouraging and tracks with typical teaching salary schedules. However, starting at $44,068 means living frugally in Chicago during those early years when loan payments begin.

For families choosing between Illinois teaching programs, DePaul represents a serviceable but not standout option. The $27,000 tuition premium over University of Illinois Chicago—which produces higher-earning graduates—deserves scrutiny. If your child has admission offers from multiple Illinois programs, prioritize those in the top ten statewide. DePaul will prepare them for the classroom, but it won't maximize their earning potential in a profession where every dollar counts.