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

Temple's teacher education program delivers above-average starting salaries that hold steady over time—not spectacular, but solid for a teaching career. At $46,019 first-year and $49,173 by year four, graduates earn more than typical Pennsylvania teachers (60th percentile statewide) and well above the national median of $43,082. The debt load of $26,000 is reasonable for teaching, translating to a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many education programs nationally.

The value proposition here is straightforward: Temple prepares teachers who find work at competitive salaries without crushing debt. While some Pennsylvania privates like Elizabethtown and Messiah place graduates earning $4,000-5,000 more annually, they often come with significantly higher price tags. Temple's combination of accessibility (83% admission rate, serving 30% Pell students) and above-median outcomes makes it a practical choice for students committed to teaching careers.

For parents worried about return on investment in education, this program clears the essential bar: graduates earn enough to comfortably manage their debt payments while building teaching careers. The modest 7% earnings growth reflects teaching's structured salary schedules rather than program weakness. If your child wants to teach in Pennsylvania and needs an affordable path into the profession, Temple delivers without unnecessary risk.