Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Montgomery County Community College

Montgomery County Community College graduates from this teaching program start at just $20,885—about $5,500 below the Pennsylvania median and ranking in only the 25th percentile among state programs. That first-year figure is particularly concerning given that nearby community colleges like Harrisburg Area and Community College of Philadelphia see their teaching graduates earning $30,000+ right away. With nearly $14,250 in debt, the initial financial picture is tough.

What redeems this program is the earnings trajectory. By year four, graduates are earning $33,197—a 59% jump that brings them closer to peers and suggests many find their way into stable teaching positions after completing additional requirements. Still, even after four years, graduates haven't caught up to what other Pennsylvania programs deliver from the start.

For parents, the question is whether their child can manage that difficult first year on roughly $1,700 monthly before taxes. If your student plans to live at home while completing certification requirements or working as a paraprofessional, this could work as an affordable path into education. But if they need immediate income, programs at nearby community colleges show significantly stronger early earnings without requiring a bet on future growth.