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

Despite ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for teacher education earnings, Rowan University's program tells a more complex story when viewed through a New Jersey lens. While graduates earn nearly $50,000 in their first year—well above the national median of $43,082—they're actually performing below the middle of the pack within New Jersey, sitting at just the 40th percentile among the state's seven teacher education programs.

The debt picture offers some reassurance, with the typical $27,000 burden falling in the 25th percentile nationally (meaning most programs saddle students with more debt). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is manageable for a teaching career, though the modest 3% earnings growth over four years reflects the reality of teacher salary structures rather than rapid career advancement.

For New Jersey families, this creates a clear choice: Rowan delivers solid, nationally competitive outcomes at a reasonable debt level, but top in-state alternatives like William Paterson ($58,854) and The College of New Jersey ($56,055) offer significantly higher starting salaries. If your child is committed to teaching and Rowan offers the best fit academically or financially, the program provides good value. However, if they can access the state's stronger teacher prep programs, the $6,000-9,000 salary premium could be worth pursuing given the modest debt differences.