Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley's teaching program graduates earn nearly $50,000 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and exceeding the Pennsylvania median by about $5,000. That's solid performance, particularly at a manageable debt load of $27,000 (the 25th percentile nationally means three-quarters of programs saddle students with more debt). Among Pennsylvania's 55 teaching programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it roughly alongside York College and ahead of well-regarded options like Temple.

The concerning element is the earnings decline from year one to year four—a drop of $4,000 that runs counter to typical career trajectories. This could reflect factors like teachers moving from higher-paying districts to rural areas, taking time off, or the small sample size (under 30 graduates) creating statistical noise. Pennsylvania's teaching market varies dramatically by district, and individual career choices matter more than the average suggests.

For families comfortable with $27,000 in debt, this represents reasonable value if your child is committed to teaching. The strong starting salary suggests good placement support, though you shouldn't count on rapid salary growth in those early years. The small cohort size means personalized attention but less predictable outcomes than larger programs. If cost is paramount, compare financial aid packages carefully against the top-performing Pennsylvania schools listed above—they're all within $2,000 of each other in starting salary.