Analysis
Paul Quinn College serves a predominantly low-income student body—70% receive Pell grants—and its education program appears to hit the state average based on comparable programs in Texas. At an estimated $49,453 in first-year earnings against $27,000 in debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 sits in manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their annual salary.
What's significant here is how this positions against national benchmarks. Similar education bachelor's programs nationally produce median earnings of just $38,660, putting Texas programs—and likely Paul Quinn's—nearly $11,000 ahead. The estimated debt load also tracks closely with both state and national medians for education degrees, suggesting the financial structure here isn't creating unusual burden compared to peer institutions.
The reality for parents is this: teaching credentials don't vary wildly in market value, and the estimated figures suggest Paul Quinn's program aligns with what education majors typically face—modest but stable earnings with debt that shouldn't overwhelm entry-level teacher salaries. For a family focused on both affordability and serving the school's mission-driven community, these numbers suggest a workable path, though the lack of actual outcome data means you're making this decision without seeing this specific program's track record.
Where Paul Quinn College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (30 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13,498 | $49,453* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $11,728 | $57,410* | — | $13,250* | 0.23 | |
| $51,058 | $50,984* | — | —* | — | |
| $18,610 | $47,921* | $42,725 | $27,500* | 0.57 | |
| $24,588 | $45,551* | — | $27,000* | 0.59 | |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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 Paul Quinn College, approximately 70% 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 4 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.