Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Minot State University

Minot State's teacher education program punches significantly above its weight nationally—earning at the 95th percentile compared to similar programs across the country—but sits closer to the middle of the pack within North Dakota's competitive education landscape. That first-year salary of $48,425 beats both the national median ($41,809) and state median ($45,438), suggesting strong local placement and district relationships. The debt load of $25,823 is actually slightly better than both state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio that's reasonable for education careers.

The real concern is what happens after that strong start: earnings drop 13% by year four to $42,286. This likely reflects North Dakota's rural teacher salary structures or graduates moving between districts as they build experience, rather than a program weakness. Still, this means early-career teachers should expect their financial trajectory to flatten or dip before potentially rising again with tenure and advanced credentials.

For families considering in-state options, Minot State offers solid value—outperforming the state median while keeping debt manageable. While Dickinson State and University of Jamestown show slightly higher initial earnings, Minot State's combination of strong first-year placement and below-average debt makes it a financially sound choice for students committed to teaching in North Dakota.