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

Quinsigamond's teacher education program starts strong—at $31,901, first-year earnings rank in the 95th percentile nationally for associate-level teaching programs. But there's a catch: by year four, earnings actually drop to $29,622. While still solid compared to the $25,120 national median, this decline is unusual for a field that typically rewards experience with higher pay. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to know if this pattern is statistical noise or reflects challenges specific to recent cohorts, like limited full-time teaching positions or graduates leaving the field.

Within Massachusetts, the picture is more moderate. At the 60th percentile statewide, Quinsigamond trails programs like Roxbury Community College ($34,086) and Urban College of Boston ($32,521). The debt load of $18,235—while below the national median for four-year programs—is notably higher than the Massachusetts average of $10,129 for associate teaching degrees. This gives graduates a manageable but not insignificant debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57.

For families in the Worcester area, this program offers a genuine pathway into education careers with earnings well above national norms. The declining income trend warrants attention, though it may simply reflect the realities of substitute teaching or part-time roles while graduates complete bachelor's degrees. If your child plans to continue their education immediately, these numbers likely understate their eventual earning potential.