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

Rasmussen University-Wisconsin graduates enter the education field with notably less debt than typical early childhood education programs—$23,086 versus a national median of only $13,608, though still below Wisconsin's state median of $20,876. The first-year earnings of $28,337 outpace 75% of similar programs nationally, but in Wisconsin's competitive education market, this ranks only at the 60th percentile. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates earn roughly $2,000 more annually with similar credentials, which compounds significantly over a teaching career.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 is manageable—graduates can theoretically pay off loans within a year of full earnings—but the modest 3% earnings growth to year four ($29,279) reflects the reality of paraprofessional education roles. These positions often have limited advancement without further credentials. For a family paying premium tuition at a private institution when several Wisconsin technical colleges deliver comparable or better outcomes, the value proposition depends heavily on factors like scheduling flexibility or location convenience.

This program works for students who need Rasmussen's format and understand they're entering a field with modest but stable earnings. However, parents should compare net costs carefully: if your child qualifies for Wisconsin technical college tuition rates, those pathways might offer equivalent career outcomes with substantially less financial risk.