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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,878

Est. from KS median (6 programs)

Median Debt

$30,125

15% above national median

Analysis

Ottawa University's teacher education program carries debt that sits in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with higher loan burdens. That $30,125 in borrowing is substantial but manageable given the estimated first-year earnings of around $44,000, based on what similar Kansas programs report. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 suggests graduates can realistically tackle their loans on a teaching salary.

The challenge is that these earnings figures come from peer programs across Kansas, not Ottawa's actual graduate outcomes. While the estimate aligns with what nearby schools like Emporia State and Pittsburg State report, teaching salaries depend heavily on which district hires you and whether you stay in Kansas. The school serves a meaningful share of lower-income students (35% receive Pell grants), and its moderate selectivity suggests accessibility, but without program-specific data, we're making educated guesses about whether Ottawa prepares teachers as effectively as the state's larger universities.

For a teaching credential, this debt level won't derail your child's career, but recognize you're betting on an estimate rather than a track record. If they're committed to teaching in Kansas and value a smaller campus, the numbers suggest a workable investment—just understand the uncertainty baked into that assessment.

Where Ottawa University-Ottawa Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa	$35,300	$43,878*	—	$30,125	—
Wichita State UniversityWichita	$9,322	$47,121*	$41,417	$22,145	0.47
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$45,179*	—	$22,814	0.50
Emporia State UniversityEmporia	$7,356	$43,954*	$43,184	$22,500	0.51
Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg	$8,008	$43,802*	$43,273	$24,125	0.55
Fort Hays State UniversityHays	$5,633	$43,273*	$45,225	$23,082	0.53
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 Ottawa University-Ottawa, approximately 35% 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 6 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.