Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead graduates future teachers who earn slightly above the state median ($44,850 vs. $44,360) but face steeper debt burdens than most. With $29,750 in loans—higher than 95% of similar programs nationally—these graduates carry roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary in debt. That's manageable compared to some fields, but the concerning pattern emerges in years 2-4: earnings actually drop to $42,974, a 4% decline that's unusual even in teaching.

This program lands in the 60th percentile among Minnesota's teacher education options, trailing nearby Concordia College by about $3,300 annually. Among Minnesota's 26 programs, that's solidly middle-tier performance, but the debt load stands out. Most competing programs in the state manage similar or better outcomes with $2,000-3,000 less student debt on average.

For families committed to teaching careers, this program delivers near-typical Minnesota teacher salaries with above-typical debt. The earnings dip after year one likely reflects teachers settling into contracted salary schedules rather than program failure, but it means graduates won't quickly outgrow their debt burden. If your child can access similar programs with lower borrowing—or secure substantial financial aid here—the fundamentals work. Without that, the math is tighter than it needs to be for an already modestly-paid profession.