Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Lipscomb University

Lipscomb's post-baccalaureate teaching certificate produces graduates earning $54,244—well above the national median of $46,898 and landing in the 87th percentile nationally. That's strong performance for a program that costs just $11,625 in median debt, less than half the national typical debt load of $20,089. The 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly two months of salary, a manageable burden as they enter the teaching profession.

The 60th percentile ranking within Tennessee is less impressive than the national standing, but there's an important caveat: Lipscomb is the only institution in Tennessee reporting data for this specific post-baccalaureate certificate program. That state comparison is essentially meaningless. What matters more is the program's efficiency—it delivers strong earnings outcomes without loading up graduates with the debt burden common at many teacher preparation programs.

The major limitation here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the cohort, these numbers could shift significantly with just a few outliers. A couple of graduates who left teaching or took positions in lower-paying districts could dramatically change next year's picture. For parents, this means the program shows promise but lacks the track record to be a sure bet. If your child is committed to teaching in the Nashville area where Lipscomb has established school partnerships, the low debt makes it worth considering—just know you're working with limited evidence.