Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at George Mason University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$45,108

66th percentile

80th percentile in Virginia

Median Debt

$24,250

8% below national median

Analysis

Among Virginia's 18 teacher education programs, George Mason stands in the 80th percentile for graduate earnings—a significant advantage in a state where the median starting salary for this degree is just $34,184. Mason graduates earn $45,108 in their first year, nearly $11,000 more than the typical Virginia teacher prep program and above the national median as well. Only Shenandoah and Regent produce higher earners in the state, but both carry considerably higher price tags.

The debt picture is reasonable for an education degree: $24,250 represents about half of first-year earnings, which is manageable for teachers following standard 10-year repayment plans. While earnings growth to $49,777 by year four isn't explosive, it's steady and reflects the structured pay scales most teachers navigate. The real story here is Mason's ability to place graduates in better-paying districts or roles compared to most Virginia competitors.

For Virginia families, this represents one of the stronger values in teacher education. You're getting above-average outcomes at an accessible public university price point. If your child is committed to teaching in Virginia, Mason offers a clear earnings advantage over programs like VCU, Old Dominion, or Radford without the private school tuition premium.

Where George Mason University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How George Mason University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
George Mason University	$45,108	$49,777	+10%
Regent University	$49,750	$46,345	-7%
Shenandoah University	$51,601	$45,571	-12%
Old Dominion University	$33,690	$44,081	+31%
Radford University	$31,071	$42,857	+38%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (18 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
George Mason UniversityFairfax	$13,815	$45,108	$49,777	$24,250	0.54
Shenandoah UniversityWinchester	$36,028	$51,601	$45,571	$27,000	0.52
Regent UniversityVirginia Beach	$20,686	$49,750	$46,345	$23,250	0.47
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond	$16,458	$34,677	$42,156	$26,901	0.78
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk	$12,262	$33,690	$44,081	$25,000	0.74
Radford UniversityRadford	$12,286	$31,071	$42,857	$25,523	0.82
National Median	—	$43,082	—	$26,221	0.61

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At George Mason University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 67 graduates with reported earnings and 83 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.