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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,111

Est. from TN median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$29,625

Est. from TN median (3 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable subject-area education programs across Tennessee, this degree comes with an estimated $29,625 in debt against first-year earnings around $40,111—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 that falls within a manageable range for teachers. However, it's critical to understand that Johnson doesn't have enough graduates in this specific program for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes, meaning these figures are drawn from peer institutions rather than reflecting this school's track record.

The estimated earnings align almost exactly with Tennessee's median for these programs but trail the national benchmark by about $3,000. More concerning is how Johnson's estimated outcomes compare to nearby alternatives with actual data: Lee University graduates start at $45,248, and Carson-Newman at $42,222. Given that teaching salaries in Tennessee are largely determined by state pay scales and district placement rather than your degree's origin, the question becomes whether Johnson offers specific advantages—like strong placement relationships with local school districts or exceptional student teaching experiences—that justify similar or higher debt than programs with demonstrated stronger outcomes.

The debt level itself isn't alarming for an education degree, but without verified data showing Johnson's graduates actually secure teaching positions and earn competitive starting salaries, you're betting on estimates. Before committing, get concrete information from Johnson about recent graduate placement rates, which districts hire their teachers, and licensure exam pass rates—real outcomes that matter more than these peer-based projections.

Where Johnson University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (29 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Johnson UniversityKnoxville	$20,318	$40,111*	—	$29,625*	—
Lee UniversityCleveland	$22,690	$45,248*	$41,701	$29,625*	0.65
Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City	$34,700	$42,222*	$41,880	$25,075*	0.59
University of MemphisMemphis	$10,344	$37,999*	$41,173	$21,747*	0.57
Lane CollegeJackson	$11,790	$24,128*	—	$36,881*	1.53
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 Johnson University, approximately 38% 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 4 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.