Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Tennessee Wesleyan University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,111

Est. from TN median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$29,625

Est. from TN median (3 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Tennessee suggest starting salaries around $40,000 for specialized subject area teachers, placing Tennessee Wesleyan roughly in line with the state median but below stronger performers like Lee University ($45,248) and Carson-Newman ($42,222). The estimated debt load of $29,625 creates a first-year ratio of 0.74—manageable compared to many fields, though notably higher than the state's typical $27,350 for comparable teaching programs. For a family weighing this investment, that's an extra $2,000-3,000 in borrowing for similar career outcomes.

Teaching offers stable employment and clear certification pathways, but the economics are straightforward: peer programs typically produce modest starting salaries that grow slowly over time. The estimated figures here suggest Tennessee Wesleyan's outcomes align with the middle tier of Tennessee's teaching programs rather than the top performers. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched, making that above-average debt figure more concerning.

The practical question is whether Tennessee Wesleyan offers specific advantages—perhaps in student teaching placements, certification support, or local school district connections—that justify comparable or slightly higher debt than alternatives. Without those clear differentiators, families might find better value at programs with stronger track records or lower borrowing requirements.

Where Tennessee Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (29 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityAthens	$29,264	$40,111*	—	$29,625*	—
Lee UniversityCleveland	$22,690	$45,248*	$41,701	$29,625*	0.65
Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City	$34,700	$42,222*	$41,880	$25,075*	0.59
University of MemphisMemphis	$10,344	$37,999*	$41,173	$21,747*	0.57
Lane CollegeJackson	$11,790	$24,128*	—	$36,881*	1.53
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Tennessee Wesleyan University, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.