Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech's teaching program graduates start with solid earnings of $45,234—well above the national median and beating three-quarters of similar programs nationwide. However, within Louisiana's competitive education market, this places graduates near the middle of the pack, trailing programs at UNO, Northwestern State, and Nicholls by $2,000-$3,500 annually. More concerning: earnings actually slip to $44,153 by year four, suggesting limited salary advancement in the districts where graduates typically find work.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $23,600, graduates carry about $2,400 less than the state median and $2,400 less than the national median for teaching programs. This translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—manageable on a teacher's salary and better than most education programs nationwide. Monthly loan payments should run around $260, consuming roughly 7% of take-home pay.

For families weighing Louisiana teaching programs, Louisiana Tech offers a financially sensible path into the classroom, particularly if you're debt-averse. The starting salary covers basics comfortably, and the modest debt load won't constrain major life decisions. But if maximizing earning potential matters—especially given that salaries appear to plateau quickly—look closely at UNO or Northwestern State, which start $2,500-$3,500 higher and may offer better long-term positioning within Louisiana's public school system.