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

Plymouth State's teacher education program lands right at the state median—identical debt, slightly lower earnings—but the trajectory tells a more nuanced story. While first-year graduates earn about $1,500 below New Hampshire's norm and $2,000 below the national median for this field, steady 8% growth over four years helps close that gap. The $27,000 debt load, though at state average, translates to a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than eight months' salary. That's better than most programs nationally.

The caveat here matters: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so these figures could shift significantly with a larger sample. That said, teaching salaries in New Hampshire are relatively compressed, so the modest earnings shouldn't alarm you if your child is committed to education. The real question is whether they're comfortable starting at roughly $41,000—standard for early-career teachers in the region—knowing the debt won't be crushing.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige in teacher preparation, this works. The accessible admission rate means your child can likely get in, and the debt burden won't derail their career before it starts. Just recognize they'll be earning in line with, not ahead of, their New Hampshire teaching peers.