Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,453
Est. from TX median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,333
Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

In Texas, education degrees lead to remarkably consistent starting salaries—peer programs typically produce first-year earnings around $49,000, which is where East Texas A&M's graduates likely land based on state data. That's about $10,000 above the national median for education majors, reflecting Texas's relatively strong teacher compensation. The estimated $24,000 in debt sits below both state and national averages for education programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 that suggests graduates could manage their loans on a teacher's salary.

The gap between similar Texas programs isn't dramatic—comparable schools range from about $46,000 to $57,000 in first-year earnings—but it's worth noting that East Texas A&M serves a student population where 41% receive Pell grants, and the program appears to deliver outcomes on par with the state median without saddling students with excessive debt. For a field where earnings plateau relatively early, keeping borrowing under $25,000 matters more than chasing marginally higher starting salaries at more expensive programs.

This looks like a practical path into teaching without financial strain. If your child is committed to education as a career, the combination of typical Texas teacher pay and below-average debt makes this program competitive with other state options, particularly given the open admission policy that makes it accessible to students who might not qualify elsewhere.

Where East Texas A&M University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce$10,026$49,453*—$24,333*—
The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington$11,728$57,410*—$13,250*0.23
Southwestern UniversityGeorgetown$51,058$50,984*——*—
Nelson UniversityWaxahachie$18,610$47,921*$42,725$27,500*0.57
Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene$24,588$45,551*—$27,000*0.59
National Median—$38,660*—$26,522*0.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with education graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

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 East Texas A&M University, approximately 41% 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 4 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.