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

Stevenson University's teaching program launches graduates with strong first-year earnings of $52,395—significantly above the national median of $41,809 and nearly matching Maryland's median. However, a troubling pattern emerges: by year four, median earnings drop to $47,269, a 10% decline that's highly unusual for any field. This backward trajectory suggests either career path changes or challenges with advancement that warrant investigation before committing $26,887 in debt.

The debt load itself is reasonable at 0.51 times first-year earnings, and the program ranks solidly among Maryland's 15 teacher prep programs—roughly middle-of-the-pack in a competitive state market. Still, the earnings decline creates uncertainty about long-term value. While graduates start near the top of the Maryland range (close to UMD and Bowie State), falling earnings by year four mean they may lose that initial advantage over time.

For parents: This program gets graduates employed at competitive starting salaries, but the downward earnings trend is a red flag. It could reflect teachers leaving the profession, moving to lower-paying districts, or even positive life choices like part-time work. Either way, you're paying similar debt for less clear career stability than Maryland's public university options, which show similar starting pay but typically more predictable earnings trajectories.