Location: Pittsburg, KS•In-State Tuition: $8,008•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,692•Admission Rate: 88%•Avg SAT: 1090
Median Earnings (1yr)
$43,802
56th percentile
40th percentile in Kansas
Median Debt
$24,125
8% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.55 ManageableSample: 71 graduates

Analysis

Pittsburg State's subject-area teaching program produces graduates who earn slightly above the national median but lag behind most Kansas teaching programs—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. At $43,802 in first-year earnings, graduates trail peers at Wichita State by over $3,000 annually and earn less than those from Emporia State and Kansas State. More concerning, earnings actually decline slightly by year four, suggesting these teachers may face limited salary progression or retention challenges.

The debt burden of $24,125 matches the Kansas median but sits above the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55—not crushing, but less favorable than top programs in the state. For a teaching career with relatively flat earnings, every dollar of additional debt matters more than in fields with steeper salary curves. Kansas offers several stronger alternatives: Wichita State graduates earn 8% more from day one with similar debt levels, while Kansas State and Emporia State also provide better financial outcomes.

If your child is committed to teaching in Kansas and already lives near Pittsburg, this program won't derail their finances. But families with flexibility should seriously consider the state's stronger teaching programs, which deliver higher starting salaries and better position graduates for long-term financial stability in a profession where early earnings often set the ceiling.

Where Pittsburg State University Stands

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

Pittsburg State UniversityOther teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Pittsburg State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Pittsburg State University earns $44k — 56th percentile among teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Pittsburg State University$43,802$43,273-1%
University of Kansas$40,495$47,299+17%
Fort Hays State University$43,273$45,225+5%
Emporia State University$43,954$43,184-2%
Wichita State University$47,121$41,417-12%

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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg$8,008$43,802$43,273$24,1250.55
Wichita State UniversityWichita$9,322$47,121$41,417$22,1450.47
Kansas State UniversityManhattan$10,942$45,179—$22,8140.50
Emporia State UniversityEmporia$7,356$43,954$43,184$22,5000.51
Fort Hays State UniversityHays$5,633$43,273$45,225$23,0820.53
University of KansasLawrence$11,700$40,495$47,299$24,1740.60
National Median—$43,082—$26,2210.61

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 Pittsburg State University, approximately 32% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 71 graduates with reported earnings and 80 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.