Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt's teacher education program posts first-year earnings of $47,134—well above the national median of $41,809 and ahead of the state average. While this places graduates in the 89th percentile nationally, the more telling comparison is Illinois itself: Roosevelt sits in the 60th percentile among 48 in-state programs, trailing the top programs by roughly $10,000. The $25,000 debt load (just below state and national averages) creates a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, and earnings climb 9% by year four, suggesting stable career progression.

The catch: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift considerably with a larger cohort. Still, the pattern makes sense for an accessible Chicago institution (94% admission rate) serving nearly half Pell-eligible students. For families prioritizing urban placement and teaching credentials without elite program price tags, Roosevelt delivers solid entry-level outcomes in a competitive state market.

The practical verdict: If your child wants to teach in Chicago and needs affordable access to the profession, this program performs decently. Just recognize they'll likely start several thousand dollars behind peers from UIC or Loyola—though that gap may matter less than school placement and specialization once they're in the classroom.