Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Friends University

Based on comparable programs across Kansas, this degree path suggests approximately $30,000 in debt against first-year earnings of around $44,000—a debt load that equals roughly eight months of gross salary. That ratio puts Friends University's estimated outcomes squarely in the middle for Kansas teacher preparation programs, though several larger public universities in the state report slightly higher starting salaries for their graduates.

The estimated debt figure here runs about $6,000 above the Kansas median for similar programs, which matters in a profession where salary growth follows predictable but modest steps. Teaching offers stability and benefits that raw earnings don't capture, but that extra debt means tighter margins during the early career years when teachers are establishing themselves. The difference between Friends' estimated $30,000 and, say, Wichita State's reported outcomes with lower debt could translate to years of additional loan payments.

For families considering this program, the central question is whether Friends' smaller class sizes and faith-integrated approach justify the premium over public alternatives that produce similar earnings outcomes. Since these figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions rather than Friends' actual graduate data, requesting information directly from the school about their teacher placement rates and specific partnerships with local school districts would be essential before committing.