Analysis
Texas education programs show remarkable variation, with top performers in the state producing earnings near $57,000 while others fall closer to $45,000. TCU's program lands right at the Texas median of roughly $49,500 based on comparable Bachelor's programs statewide—a solid middle ground that outpaces the national typical earnings of $38,660 for education degrees. This suggests the program benefits from Texas's relatively strong market for teachers, though it doesn't command the premium of UT-Arlington's program.
The estimated $27,000 debt load is manageable by education degree standards, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 that should allow comfortable repayment on a teacher's salary. Similar programs nationally carry nearly identical debt burdens, so this figure isn't unusual for private schools or concerning for the field. Monthly payments would consume a reasonable portion of take-home pay, leaving room for living expenses even in Fort Worth's housing market.
For families paying private school tuition to launch a teaching career, the key question is whether TCU's outcomes justify the premium over public alternatives. The estimated earnings match the state median exactly, suggesting you're paying for the TCU experience and smaller class sizes rather than materially better career outcomes. If your child is committed to education and values the university's environment, the debt level won't derail their financial future—but public university education programs in Texas offer comparable earnings potential at lower cost.
Where Texas Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (30 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57,220 | $49,453* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $11,728 | $57,410* | — | $13,250* | 0.23 | |
| $51,058 | $50,984* | — | —* | — | |
| $18,610 | $47,921* | $42,725 | $27,500* | 0.57 | |
| $24,588 | $45,551* | — | $27,000* | 0.59 | |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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 Texas Christian University, approximately 13% 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 TX. Actual outcomes may vary.