Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Rasmussen's associate's program in teacher education comes with above-average debt for this field—$23,086 compared to a national median of just $13,608—but the earnings justify the premium. Graduates earn $28,337 in their first year, placing this program at the 75th percentile nationally and helping 46% of students (those on Pell grants) access a teaching career that would otherwise be out of reach. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under a year if they dedicated their full salary to it, though in practice this signals manageable repayment.

What's less clear is the growth trajectory. Earnings tick up only 3% over four years to $29,279, which is modest even for associate-level teaching roles. This could reflect the nature of paraprofessional positions in North Dakota schools, where advancement may require additional credentials. Among the five programs in North Dakota, this one sits at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack for the state.

For parents whose children want to work in education without committing to a four-year degree first, this program delivers immediate access to the classroom at a higher cost than typical associate programs but with earnings that make the investment workable. Just understand that career growth will likely depend on what comes after this degree.