Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Eastern Nazarene College

The $28,281 debt load here sits slightly above both the state median ($27,000) and national median ($26,000) for education programs, while first-year earnings—estimated from peer Massachusetts institutions—hover right at the state median of $42,216. That 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment compared to other teaching programs nationally, placing this in the 16th percentile for debt burden. However, the four-year earnings figure of $37,415 is puzzling: it's nearly $5,000 lower than the estimated first-year number, which runs counter to typical teacher salary progressions in Massachusetts public schools.

This earnings drop raises questions about whether graduates are staying in teaching, moving to lower-paying districts, or working part-time—information that actual program-specific data might clarify. Similar programs at Bridgewater State and Gordon College show first-year earnings in the $43,000-$44,000 range with comparable or lower debt, suggesting Eastern Nazarene students may face slightly tougher trade-offs. The national benchmark of $41,809 provides some reassurance that these estimates align with typical teaching outcomes, but the Year 4 dip is worth understanding before committing.

For families evaluating this program, the debt burden appears reasonable for a teaching career, but the unclear earnings trajectory and reliance on peer-school estimates make it essential to ask the college directly about where their graduates actually teach and whether they stay in the profession. Teacher shortages in Massachusetts can create opportunities, but you want confidence that this specific program leads there.