Education at Hamline University

Hamline's education graduates start $5,700 below the Minnesota median for teaching programs and about $11,400 behind what University of Minnesota-Twin Cities grads earn. That gap matters in a state where education salaries are relatively standardized—falling at the 40th percentile among Minnesota programs suggests this isn't just about individual teacher placement but potentially about credential perception or program network strength.

The $25,000 debt load looks manageable at first glance, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.7, but there's a complication: Hamline's debt is actually higher than the state median of $21,875 for education programs. You're paying more to earn less compared to other Minnesota options. For a career path with predictable salary schedules, starting behind matters because those early-career differences compound over time as raises build on your base salary.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data, but the pattern is consistent—below-median earnings combined with above-median debt in a state with strong public university alternatives. If your child is set on teaching in Minnesota, the in-state public options deliver stronger starting positions at lower cost. Hamline might make sense for students who need the smaller campus environment and can negotiate their aid package down significantly, but the standard financial outcome doesn't compete well with state alternatives.