Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Drake University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,794

Est. from IA median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from IA median (5 programs)

Analysis

Iowa teacher education programs cluster tightly around $45,000 in first-year earnings, and Drake's estimated figures place it squarely in that typical range. Based on similar programs at Iowa private colleges, graduates likely carry about $27,000 in debt for starting salaries near $45,000—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 that's manageable by teaching profession standards. The challenge isn't unique to Drake: every teacher education program in Iowa faces the same math of modest starting salaries against the cost of a four-year degree.

What matters here is Drake's private school premium. At comparable Iowa privates like Simpson and Wartburg, actual reported outcomes hover in the same $45,000-$46,000 range, suggesting Drake delivers market-rate preparation at market-rate debt levels for teachers. The $27,000 debt estimate sits right at the national median for this major, which means Drake isn't overcharging relative to teaching salaries the way some expensive programs do.

For parents evaluating Drake specifically: teacher salaries follow district pay scales, not where you got your degree, so the value question centers on Drake's preparation quality and professional network in Iowa schools. The financial picture looks sustainable—first-year debt payments would consume roughly 12% of gross income—but recognize you're paying for Drake's smaller classes and Des Moines location rather than dramatically different earnings. If your student is committed to teaching in Iowa, this investment pencils out, though state universities offer the same career entry point at lower cost.

Where Drake University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (23 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Drake UniversityDes Moines	$49,944	$44,794*	—	$27,000*	—
Iowa State UniversityAmes	$10,497	$47,559*	$47,774	$19,000*	0.40
Wartburg CollegeWaverly	$51,040	$45,677*	$48,082	$27,000*	0.59
Morningside UniversitySioux City	$38,190	$45,552*	$43,702	$28,000*	0.61
Simpson CollegeIndianola	$46,212	$44,872*	$42,666	$27,000*	0.60
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$44,715*	$46,195	$25,000*	0.56
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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 Drake University, approximately 21% 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 median of 8 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.