Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State graduates enter teaching earning slightly above the national median, but their earnings lag behind most Kansas programs—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. While $42,112 represents a solid first-year salary for teaching, it's about $4,000 less than what graduates from top Kansas programs like Washburn or Friends University earn, and even trails the state median of $43,014. The slight earnings dip to $41,703 by year four is typical for educators whose pay structures often flatten early in their careers.

The financial advantage here is debt. At $30,800, Fort Hays State graduates carry significantly more debt than the national median ($26,000) but land in the favorable 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73—manageable for a teaching salary. For Kansas families, this matters: the difference between borrowing $30,800 here versus the state median of $25,583 is real but not insurmountable on a teacher's income.

If your child is committed to teaching in Kansas and values Fort Hays State's community, this program will prepare them for the profession without crushing debt. However, if they have admission to Kansas State, KU, or Washburn, those programs deliver noticeably higher earnings for similar or lower debt—a difference that compounds over a 30-year teaching career.