Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Gordon College

Gordon College's teacher education program earns graduates $43,989 in their first year—outpacing both national and Massachusetts medians, though still trailing top state programs like Assumption University by nearly $5,000. The debt load of $26,975 is about average for education programs, creating a manageable 0.61 ratio. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift considerably with more data.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings decline: graduates see their pay drop 10% by year four to $39,465. This backward trajectory is unusual even in teaching, where salaries typically climb with experience and tenure. It's unclear whether this reflects teachers leaving the profession, moving to lower-paying districts, or simply statistical noise from the tiny sample. Given that Massachusetts teaching salaries generally trend upward with seniority, this dip warrants scrutiny.

For parents of aspiring teachers, this program doesn't raise immediate red flags—the debt is manageable and starting salaries are solid. But the earnings decline and limited data make it hard to gauge long-term value. If your child is committed to teaching, compare carefully with state schools like Bridgewater State, which costs less and shows stronger initial earnings. The private school premium here isn't yielding obvious financial advantages.