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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,228

Est. from PA median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from PA median (8 programs)

Analysis

Pennsylvania teacher education programs show a tight earnings band, with most graduates starting around $44,000—reflecting standardized salary schedules across the state. Based on comparable programs statewide, Gwynedd Mercy's outcomes likely mirror this pattern: first-year earnings near $44,228 with debt around $27,000. That debt load translates to roughly $300 in monthly loan payments—manageable but not trivial on a beginning teacher's salary.

The gap between Gwynedd Mercy and the state's top-performing programs is worth noting. Schools like Elizabethtown and Messiah place graduates at $50,000-plus, nearly $7,000 above the typical starting point. While this difference may reflect geographic placement or district partnerships rather than program quality, it's meaningful money in those crucial early career years. Some of this advantage could stem from stronger alumni networks or relationships with higher-paying suburban districts.

The basic math works: a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably below the concerning threshold, and teaching offers long-term benefits like pension systems and loan forgiveness programs. However, without actual program-specific data, you're making this decision somewhat blind. If your child is committed to teaching, prioritize schools with transparent outcomes and strong district placement records—or consider whether one of Pennsylvania's higher-earning programs might be worth exploring, especially if debt levels remain similar.

Where Gwynedd Mercy University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (55 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Gwynedd Mercy UniversityGwynedd Valley	$38,310	$44,228*	—	$27,000*	—
Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown	$36,842	$50,918*	—	$27,000*	0.53
Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg	$40,640	$50,825*	$45,300	$27,000*	0.53
Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville	$50,320	$49,263*	$45,333	$27,000*	0.55
York College of PennsylvaniaYork	$24,606	$48,624*	—	$27,000*	0.56
Moravian UniversityBethlehem	$52,000	$46,600*	—	$27,000*	0.58
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 Gwynedd Mercy 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.

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 median of 14 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.