Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Murray State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,282

Est. from KY median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,436

Est. from KY median (7 programs)

Analysis

Similar teacher education programs across Kentucky suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—a figure that's roughly $8,000 below the national median for this field. That gap matters when you're carrying $26,000 in debt, which is right at the national average for these programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 means your child would owe about three-quarters of their starting salary, requiring careful budgeting in those crucial first years of teaching.

The reality is that teaching salaries in Kentucky start lower than many other states, but they're also more predictable. Unlike some fields where earnings estimates might mask wide variation, teaching compensation tends to follow structured salary schedules. What's less predictable here is whether this specific program provides advantages that justify its cost compared to alternatives. Programs like University of Louisville report significantly higher starting salaries ($56,000), though that may reflect different geographic placement patterns or subject specializations.

Given that these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than Murray State's actual outcomes, the key question is placement. If this program has strong relationships with school districts that offer competitive starting packages or positions in higher-paying subject areas (STEM, special education), the investment could work out better than these estimates suggest. Request specific placement data and starting salary ranges for recent graduates before committing.

Where Murray State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Murray State UniversityMurray	$9,708	$35,282*	—	$26,436*	—
University of LouisvilleLouisville	$12,828	$56,188*	$51,705	$22,250*	0.40
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green	$11,436	$36,830*	$38,071	$30,375*	0.82
Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond	$10,130	$35,740*	$36,975	$19,750*	0.55
University of KentuckyLexington	$13,212	$35,282*	$42,393	$24,002*	0.68
Morehead State UniversityMorehead	$9,838	$35,150*	—	$29,225*	0.83
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Murray State University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.