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

Marian University's teaching program produces graduates who earn below both state and national medians for their field—starting at $38,978 versus $43,243 across Indiana. That $4,000+ gap places this program at the 40th percentile among the state's 40 teacher prep programs, meaning most Indiana teaching graduates do better. For comparison, Butler University graduates start at $50,707, nearly $12,000 more, while even regional campuses like IU-Northwest ($48,497) show stronger outcomes.

The upside here is manageable debt. At $27,000, borrowing levels sit slightly above the state median but below the national average, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69—reasonable for a teaching career. Graduates see modest pay growth to $41,651 by year four, though that still lags behind what many Indiana teaching programs deliver from day one. The 95% admission rate suggests accessibility rather than selectivity drives enrollment.

For families evaluating Indiana teaching programs, this represents a middle-of-the-road option that won't create crushing debt but also doesn't maximize earning potential. If your child is comparing offers, programs at Butler, IU campuses, or Franklin College demonstrate notably stronger returns while keeping debt in similar ranges. The debt load here won't derail a teaching career, but the earnings trajectory suggests looking closely at alternatives within the state.