Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Lee University

Lee University's education program graduates start stronger than most Tennessee alternatives, earning $45,248 initially—about $5,000 more than the state median and solidly above the national average. Among Tennessee's 29 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only Carson-Newman among similar institutions. The debt load of $29,625 is manageable relative to that first-year salary, putting graduates in a better starting position than the typical education major nationally.

The troubling pattern emerges by year four, when median earnings drop to $41,701—a decline that likely reflects the compressed salary schedules in Tennessee public schools rather than anything specific to Lee's preparation. Still, even with this dip, graduates remain ahead of the state median. The debt burden sits slightly above both state and national norms, though the 5th percentile debt ranking nationally suggests it's quite reasonable compared to what education students face elsewhere.

For families considering this program, Lee delivers competitive preparation at a price point that won't handicap graduates as they enter one of the country's lower-paying professions. Tennessee teachers face limited earning growth regardless of where they train, but Lee's graduates at least begin their careers from a relatively strong position within the state.