Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Radford University

Radford's teaching program starts graduates at just $31,000—below both the Virginia median ($34,184) and the national median ($43,082)—but shows impressive earnings momentum. By year four, graduates reach nearly $43,000, representing 38% growth that helps close the gap with peers. That starting salary ranks in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning roughly half of Virginia teaching programs launch graduates into better-paying positions, including nearby programs at GMU ($45,108) and VCU ($34,677).

The debt load of $25,523 is slightly better than state and national averages, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.82. For a teaching career, where salaries typically follow predictable step increases, this trajectory makes sense—the question is whether starting $3,000-$4,000 behind Virginia peers matters for long-term wealth building. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these numbers reliable, not statistical noise.

If your child is committed to teaching in Virginia and values Radford's 91% acceptance rate and accessible environment, this program works—the debt is reasonable and earnings catch up over time. But if maximizing early-career income matters, particularly for building savings or managing lifestyle costs in your first teaching years, Virginia offers stronger-launching alternatives at similar price points.