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

Northern State's teaching program offers an uncommon advantage for education majors: manageable debt paired with above-average starting salaries. At $24,242 in student debt against first-year earnings of $46,042, graduates face a debt load just half their annual salary—significantly better than the national median of $26,000 for this field. The program ranks in the 82nd percentile nationally for earnings, outperforming three-quarters of teacher education programs across the country. Within South Dakota, it holds steady at the 60th percentile, trailing only Black Hills State and Dakota State among public universities in the state.

The financial picture does show one wrinkle: earnings dip slightly to $44,102 by year four rather than growing. This likely reflects South Dakota's compressed teacher salary schedules rather than any program weakness, since this pattern appears across education programs statewide. What matters more is that graduates enter the workforce earning above both state and national medians while carrying less debt than typical—a combination that makes loan repayment straightforward even on a teacher's salary.

For families concerned about the return on a teaching degree, this program delivers solid value. Your child would graduate earning more than most education majors nationally while taking on debt they can realistically manage on a starting teacher's income.