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

McMurry's education program leaves graduates earning less than they would at most other Texas teaching programs, while carrying slightly more debt than average. First-year teachers earn $42,900, which beats the national median but falls short of the $44,023 median for Texas programs—landing this program at the 40th percentile statewide. More concerning, earnings dip to $40,200 by year four, suggesting McMurry graduates aren't advancing into higher-paying positions or leadership roles as quickly as their peers. In a state where nearby Abilene Christian University's education graduates earn $50,486, that's a meaningful gap.

The $29,750 in typical debt is manageable at 69% of first-year earnings, and McMurry keeps costs lower than many competitors—though that advantage narrows when earnings lag behind. The 45% Pell grant rate indicates McMurry serves economically diverse students who may particularly feel the impact of below-median Texas earnings. With 43 teacher education programs across Texas, prospective students have options that could lead to stronger salary trajectories.

For families committed to McMurry for other reasons—location, community, fit—the program produces working teachers with reasonable debt. But purely from an earnings standpoint, other Texas programs offer better returns, and the earnings decline rather than growth over the first four years should prompt serious comparison shopping.