Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Loyola University Maryland

Similar programs in Maryland suggest first-year teaching salaries around $46,000 for subject-area education graduates, with Loyola's estimated debt load of $27,000 falling slightly above the state median but close to the national average. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly seven months of gross salary to repay what you've borrowed—manageable territory for an entry-level teacher, though not exceptional.

The challenge lies in teaching's compressed salary trajectory. While Baltimore-area schools may offer competitive starting packages, education careers rarely deliver the income growth needed to quickly distance yourself from student debt. When peer programs at Maryland public universities like Towson report higher starting salaries ($51,000+) at presumably lower costs, the value proposition becomes harder to defend on purely financial grounds. Subject-area teaching credentials don't typically command salary premiums that justify significant private school tuition.

Given that these figures are extrapolated from comparable programs rather than Loyola's actual graduate outcomes, you're evaluating potential rather than track record. If your child is committed to teaching and Loyola offers specific advantages—certain licensure pathways, internship networks in desirable districts, or program features worth paying for—the modest debt burden won't derail their career. But if the decision hinges primarily on earnings potential, Maryland's public options deserve serious consideration before committing to private university costs.