Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Friends University

Friends University's education program commands slightly higher debt than typical Kansas education programs, but graduates earn more than 75% of similar programs nationwide—an important distinction when evaluating teacher preparation. At $46,313 in first-year earnings, graduates out-earn the national median by over $4,500, though within Kansas they land in the middle of the pack, trailing only Washburn among major competitors.

The debt picture requires context: $27,000 represents just 58% of first-year earnings, which is manageable for a teaching career where salary growth tends to follow predictable steps. This ratio is actually lower than 75% of education programs nationally, meaning Friends structures its costs more reasonably than most institutions preparing teachers. The slight premium over Kansas's $25,583 median debt translates to roughly $20 more per month in loan payments—minimal in the context of above-average starting salaries.

For families considering Kansas teacher preparation programs, Friends offers a practical middle ground. You're not paying private school tuition for merely average outcomes: the earnings advantage over typical programs persists, and the debt load won't derail career plans. If your student is deciding between Friends and a public alternative like Kansas State ($44,320 starting salary, likely lower debt), the $2,000 earnings difference probably doesn't justify higher costs. But compared to most education programs nationally, this delivers solid teacher preparation without the debt burden that plagues many private institutions.