Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Drake University

Drake's teacher education program produces earnings that lag behind most competing Iowa schools, landing in just the 40th percentile statewide despite debt matching the state median. With first-year earnings of $41,630—below both Iowa's $42,758 median and schools like Morningside ($48,478) and Iowa State ($45,512)—graduates start roughly $4,000-$7,000 behind peers from other in-state programs. The debt load of $27,000 isn't unusually high for the field, but paired with Drake's below-average starting salaries, it creates a less favorable financial position than competitors offer.

The 11% earnings growth to $46,094 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, though graduates remain in the middle of the pack nationally and still trail top Iowa programs. For a private university charging substantially more than public alternatives like Iowa State, the returns don't justify the premium. However, the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data—a few graduates' career paths heavily influence these averages.

If your child is set on teaching and Drake for non-financial reasons, the debt level is manageable relative to typical teacher salaries. But purely from an ROI perspective, Iowa State or the University of Iowa deliver comparable or better outcomes at lower cost, making them smarter financial choices for future educators.