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

Regent University's teacher education graduates start at $49,750—$15,000 above the Virginia median for this program and in the 80th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful edge in a field where initial salary often determines long-term earning potential, placing them competitively with Shenandoah and George Mason, the state's top-performing programs.

The tradeoff is concerning: earnings drop 7% by year four, falling below the national average. This could reflect graduates moving to lower-cost districts, taking time off for family, or the natural salary compression that hits many teachers. With debt of $23,250 (below both state and national medians), the initial salary at least provides breathing room—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 is manageable for an entry-level teaching position.

The real caveat here is the tiny sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers could easily shift year to year. One or two graduates taking breaks from teaching or moving states could explain the entire earnings decline. For families banking on that strong $49,750 starting figure, recognize it may not be reliable. The program clearly produces competitive early outcomes when it works, but you're betting on limited data. If your child is committed to teaching in Virginia and the debt stays under $25,000, the initial placement advantage is real—just don't count on steady salary growth afterward.