Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Pueblo Community College

With a small graduating cohort, Pueblo Community College's teaching certificate shows earnings about $3,000 below the national median but actually sits at the 60th percentile among Colorado programs—meaning it outperforms most similar in-state options. The $24,960 first-year salary trails Front Range Community College's $29,749, but the debt load here is notably lighter at $10,750, creating a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's considerably better than the national median debt of $15,375 for these programs.

The challenge is understanding what this certificate actually delivers in the Colorado job market. First-year teaching earnings in the low-to-mid $20,000s suggest graduates may be working as paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, or in similar roles rather than as certified classroom teachers with full salaries. This aligns with it being a certificate rather than a bachelor's degree, which Colorado requires for most teaching positions.

For parents, this works as a low-cost entry point into education careers if their student needs additional coursework for paraprofessional roles or wants to test the field before committing to a full degree. The modest debt means limited financial risk. However, if the goal is becoming a licensed teacher in Colorado, this certificate alone won't get them there—they'll need to continue to a bachelor's program, making this more of a stepping stone than a complete credential.