Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at St. Augustine College

Something puzzling emerges in St. Augustine's teacher education numbers: while similar Illinois programs suggest first-year earnings around $44,000, this program reports graduates earning just $34,000 four years into their careers—a backward trajectory that defies typical teaching salary progressions. With 73% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a population that can least afford uncertainty, yet the data raises more questions than it answers.

The estimated debt load of $27,000 aligns with state norms for teaching programs and produces a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio based on the estimated first-year figure. But that four-year earnings drop suggests either graduates aren't securing traditional teaching positions, are working part-time, or face employment disruptions that interrupt career progression. Compare this to the state's top performers—University of Illinois Chicago graduates earn $61,000, while even mid-tier programs like Wheaton produce $48,000 outcomes—and the gap becomes harder to explain through estimation alone.

For parents considering this program, the data limitations make it impossible to know whether graduates are achieving the expected teacher earnings trajectory. The concerning four-year figure isn't an estimate—it's actual reported data—which means it reflects real outcomes for this school's graduates, even if the sample is small. Before committing, you need direct answers from the college about where recent graduates are working and what salaries they're actually commanding in their teaching roles.