Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Palm Beach Atlantic University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$47,698

Est. from FL median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from FL median (3 programs)

Analysis

Florida's teacher education programs typically produce first-year earnings around $48,000, which aligns with what comparable programs suggest for Palm Beach Atlantic's graduates. The estimated $27,000 in debt sits above the state median of $22,500 for similar programs, though it remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57—meaning graduates would owe roughly seven months of their annual salary.

Teaching is one of the more predictable career paths financially, with structured salary schedules and consistent entry points. The challenge here is that Palm Beach Atlantic's estimated outcomes don't show the advantage you'd hope for from a private university education. Florida Atlantic and Florida State graduates in the same field are earning $5,000-6,000 more annually, while programs at public institutions like St. Petersburg College deliver similar earnings with significantly less debt burden.

The numbers suggest this program delivers adequate preparation for a teaching career but at a premium cost compared to state alternatives. For families committed to a Christian university environment, these estimates indicate viable outcomes. However, parents should verify whether Palm Beach Atlantic's specific program produces outcomes that justify choosing it over Florida's strong public university options, which demonstrate clearer financial advantages for teacher preparation.

Where Palm Beach Atlantic University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (37 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach	$37,990	$47,698*	—	$27,000*	—
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton	$4,879	$53,524*	$49,874	$27,516*	0.51
Florida State UniversityTallahassee	$5,656	$50,610*	$47,072	$22,500*	0.44
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg	$2,682	$49,435*	—	—*	—
Stetson UniversityDeLand	$55,220	$48,139*	—	$27,000*	0.56
Southeastern UniversityLakeland	$31,732	$47,966*	—	$26,000*	0.54
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 Palm Beach Atlantic University, approximately 25% 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 11 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.