Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's teacher education program sits right in the middle of Colorado's education landscape—earning $40,681 annually places graduates at the 60th percentile among the state's 13 teacher prep programs. That's slightly above the Colorado median of $40,531 and nearly identical to what University of Northern Colorado graduates earn, despite Metro State's open-admission policy and lower costs. The $27,551 in median debt is higher than the state median but represents a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about eight months of their first-year salary.

What makes this outcome particularly notable is Metro State's accessibility—with a 99% admission rate and 35% of students on Pell grants, this program serves a population that might not have access to more selective Colorado schools. These graduates enter the workforce earning close to what their peers from higher-ranked institutions make, though the national 42nd percentile ranking suggests Colorado's teacher salaries as a whole lag behind other states.

For families considering Colorado teaching careers, Metro State delivers competitive in-state results without requiring high test scores or selective admission. The debt load is manageable relative to starting teacher salaries, and graduates enter a profession with clear job pathways and benefits beyond salary. If your child is committed to teaching in Colorado and values an accessible, affordable path into the classroom, this program performs as well as its more selective competitors.