Education at Harris-Stowe State University

Harris-Stowe's education graduates face a challenging financial picture: they carry $35,478 in debt—about $8,400 more than the state median—while earning $28,500 in their first year. That debt load exceeds their starting salary, creating a 1.24 debt-to-earnings ratio that's higher than you'd want to see. While earnings do grow to nearly $36,000 by year four (a solid 26% increase), that's still roughly $6,000 below what other Missouri education programs deliver and well behind the national median of $38,660.

The state context matters here: among Missouri's 24 education programs, Harris-Stowe ranks at the 40th percentile—essentially middle-of-the-pack within the state, but notably behind options like Saint Louis University or even University of Missouri-St. Louis. Three-quarters of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves primarily lower-income students who may have fewer alternatives, but the debt burden is particularly concerning for that demographic.

Important caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. Still, the combination of below-average earnings and above-average debt is worth serious consideration. If your child is committed to teaching and has other Missouri options available, compare total costs carefully—programs with similar tuition but better earnings outcomes would offer a clearer path to managing student loans on a teacher's salary.