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

Something concerning happens to Millikin's teaching graduates between their first and fourth year in the profession—their median earnings drop 15% to just $37,019. That's a red flag in a field where salaries typically climb with experience and additional education credentials. While graduates start above the national median for teacher education programs, they end up earning roughly $7,000 less than the typical Illinois teaching graduate by year four. Among Illinois education programs, this ranks only in the 40th percentile despite Millikin's higher tuition costs.

The $27,340 debt burden is slightly above state averages, and when paired with those declining mid-career earnings, it creates a challenging financial picture. Teaching salaries in Illinois vary dramatically by district—the state's top programs place graduates earning $61,000 or more—suggesting Millikin may not be placing graduates in the higher-paying suburban districts where teacher compensation is strongest. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable, but the earnings trajectory deserves serious attention.

For families considering Millikin's education program, the key question is whether you're prepared for those fourth-year earnings of $37,000. If your child plans to teach in Illinois, exploring options that better connect to higher-paying districts—or even considering the state's public universities at lower cost—would be worth the conversation before committing to Millikin's price tag.