Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's teacher education program carries debt levels that are notably higher than both state and national norms—ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally. That $30,294 debt load leads to a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, meaning graduates owe nearly 80% of their annual salary, significantly above what education majors typically face. The modest 5% earnings growth over four years suggests limited advancement opportunities in the early career phase.

Here's the surprising context: despite ranking in only the 25th percentile nationally, this program actually performs above the state median, placing in the 60th percentile among Missouri's 30 teacher education programs. Missouri's median for this field is $35,507, so Missouri State's $38,211 starting salary represents a relative strength within the state. Still, top Missouri programs like University of Missouri-Columbia post $39,755, showing there are better in-state options with likely lower debt loads.

The real concern is the debt burden combined with teaching salaries that start below $40,000. For families comparing options, nearby programs are delivering similar outcomes with potentially less financial strain. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances could vary significantly from these medians, but the debt-to-earnings picture should prompt careful consideration of total borrowing amounts before committing to this program.