Education at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's education graduates earn notably more than most education majors in the state—placing them in the 60th percentile among Massachusetts programs—while carrying slightly less debt than the state median. Starting at $39,375 and climbing to $45,014 by year four, these teachers are earning 35% above the Massachusetts median for education degrees and tracking close to what graduates from Springfield College make, though at less than half the sticker price of many private alternatives.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable for teaching salaries, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 that's more favorable than many education programs nationally. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants and a 92% admission rate, MCLA serves as an accessible pathway into teaching that doesn't saddle graduates with crushing debt. The 14% earnings growth over four years suggests steady progression through the early career ladder, typical for teachers moving through salary steps.

The catch: this analysis relies on a small sample size of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing the numbers significantly. But for a parent whose child wants to teach and is considering Massachusetts public schools, MCLA delivers competitive earning power at a reasonable cost—particularly valuable given that teaching salaries follow set scales regardless of where you earned your degree.