Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Graceland University-Lamoni

Similar education programs across Iowa typically produce first-year earnings around $45,000, placing Graceland's estimated outcomes squarely in line with state norms for this field. Teacher salaries in Iowa are fairly compressed—even graduates from Iowa State or the University of Iowa only earn a few thousand more in their first year. The estimated $27,000 debt load sits right at the median for Iowa education programs, resulting in a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many bachelor's programs nationally.

The challenge here is inherent to teaching rather than specific to Graceland: starting salaries are modest regardless of where you earn your credential. Comparable programs show Iowa teachers typically begin earning between $44,000 and $48,000, with little variation based on institution prestige. With 45% of Graceland students receiving Pell grants, the accessibility matters—but that also means many families will be relying heavily on that teacher salary to service the debt.

For families considering this path, the key question isn't whether Graceland is competitive (peer data suggests it is), but whether a teaching career aligns with your financial expectations. The debt burden appears reasonable, but teacher salaries grow slowly and plateau earlier than many professions. If your child is committed to education, this program's estimated outcomes mirror what Iowa teachers typically face—just know that small class sizes mean we're working with incomplete information about this specific cohort's success.