Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Pittsburg State University

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.