Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Our Lady of the Lake University

Teaching salaries in Texas tend to track higher than the national average, and similar education programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $51,360—well above the national median of $43,082 for this field. That's the good news. The challenge is that comparable programs in Texas also carry typical debt loads of $27,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that's manageable but not generous on a teacher's starting salary.

Based on peer programs at similar institutions in Texas, graduates would need about half of their first year's income to cover their total borrowing—a workable scenario, though one that leaves limited cushion for the financial realities of early-career teaching. The school serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (57%), which matters because these students often have less family financial backup if loan payments become tight. A few private universities in Texas show their education graduates earning $53,000-$58,000 in year one, suggesting room exists above the median, though these outcomes likely reflect different student populations and program structures.

The real question is whether your child can keep borrowing well below $27,000. At half that debt load, this becomes a straightforward investment; at the estimated amount, it's financially viable but will require disciplined budgeting through those critical first teaching years. Push the school's financial aid office for clarity on typical graduate outcomes and scholarship opportunities before committing.