Education at Loras College

At $27,000 in debt for a degree leading to roughly $38,660 in first-year earnings, this education program mirrors the financial profile typical of teaching degrees nationwide. Based on comparable bachelor's programs across the country, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 falls within reasonable territory—not ideal, but manageable given teaching's structured pay scales and loan forgiveness opportunities.

The estimated figures here suggest starting salaries that align with what Iowa school districts typically pay new teachers. What works in your favor: Iowa's education programs generally produce debt loads around $32,000, so if these estimates hold, Loras comes in somewhat lower. Teaching also offers Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years for those working in qualifying districts, which fundamentally changes the debt calculus. The catch is that teacher salaries in Iowa tend to start lower than coastal states, and growth is incremental—you're looking at a career that values stability over rapid income increases.

If your child is committed to teaching and wants the small-school environment Loras provides, the estimated financial picture isn't alarming. But understand you're working with national proxies here, not actual outcomes from recent Loras graduates. Before committing, get specific placement data from the college: where do their education majors actually teach, and what are their starting salaries? The estimated numbers suggest a workable path, but you need to verify that Loras graduates are securing teaching positions that justify even this moderate debt load.