Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene's teacher education program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: graduates earn slightly above the national median but lag behind most Illinois teaching programs. At $44,032 initially, these graduates start near the state median of $44,601, but rank only in the 40th percentile among Illinois programs—meaning six out of ten similar programs in the state deliver better outcomes. More concerning, the top Illinois programs show what's possible: Northeastern Illinois graduates earn $63,615, nearly 45% more, suggesting geographic location or program structure significantly impacts teaching salaries.

The debt burden of $27,000 is manageable for a teaching career, matching both state and national medians with a reasonable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, the slight earnings decline to $43,011 by year four is worth noting, though this pattern often reflects teachers who exit the profession early or move to lower-paying districts. For context, teaching salaries typically rise with tenure, so stable or declining earnings in aggregate data may indicate workforce turnover rather than stagnant pay.

For families committed to teaching in Illinois, this program offers a predictable path to the profession without excessive debt, but parents should understand their child will likely earn less than graduates from other Illinois teaching programs. If staying in-state for tuition savings is important, compare specific employment outcomes and district placement rates across Illinois options before deciding.