Location: Elko, NV•In-State Tuition: $3,855•Out-of-State Tuition: $13,448
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$43,082
Est. from national median (348 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,621
Est. from national median (218 programs)

Analysis

Subject-area teaching programs in Nevada typically launch graduates into stronger earnings than Great Basin College's estimated $43,000 first-year figure suggests. The state median sits at $49,118, and both Nevada State and UNR report outcomes north of $47,500. That $6,000+ gap matters in a profession where starting salaries are often locked to district pay scales—it raises questions about whether graduates are securing full-time teaching positions or ending up in substitute or paraprofessional roles initially.

The estimated $25,621 debt load falls slightly below the national median for teaching programs, which provides some cushion. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, repayment should be manageable on a teacher's salary, though the lower estimated earnings make this tighter than it would be at Nevada's higher-performing programs. Teaching does offer loan forgiveness programs for those who work in Title I schools or teach shortage subjects, which could help accelerate debt payoff.

For families committed to Great Basin College for geographic or personal reasons, this path remains viable—teaching credentials are portable, and career earnings grow with experience and advanced degrees. However, if other Nevada teaching programs are accessible, the data from peer institutions suggests they may offer a stronger financial launch into the profession.

Where Great Basin College Stands

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

Great Basin College (estimated ±10%)Other teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Nevada

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nevada (4 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Great Basin CollegeElko$3,855$43,082*—$25,621*—
Nevada State UniversityHenderson$6,368$50,691*——*—
University of Nevada-RenoReno$8,994$47,544*—$20,769*0.44
National Median—$43,082*—$26,221*0.61
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Great Basin College, approximately 20% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 348 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.