Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Ferrum College

Ferrum College's teacher education program puts graduates $10,000 behind the Virginia median and nearly $14,000 below the national median in their first year of teaching. That starting salary of $29,100 is concerning for any field, but particularly for teaching where early-career earnings strongly predict lifetime compensation. While the program ranks at the 40th percentile in Virginia—meaning half of state programs do worse—it lands in just the 5th percentile nationally, suggesting Virginia itself may struggle with teacher compensation compared to other states.

The $31,000 debt load exceeds both state and national medians for this program, creating a difficult financial picture. With debt exceeding first-year earnings, graduates face genuine budgetary constraints that could make loan repayment challenging, even with income-driven repayment plans. The 45% earnings growth to year four is significant, but that $42,273 salary still trails the state median by $8,000.

For families committed to teaching in Virginia, this program isn't disqualifying—it's middle-of-the-pack for the state. But the combination of below-median starting pay and above-median debt means graduates will likely face tighter finances than peers from programs like George Mason or Virginia Commonwealth. If your child is drawn to teaching, ensuring they understand the financial realities of those first few years—and having a plan for managing that debt burden—will be essential.