Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at The College of Saint Scholastica

Teaching is notoriously underpaid nationwide, but Saint Scholastica's education program graduates earn less than typical Minnesota teachers while carrying comparable debt. At $40,320 one year out, these graduates trail both the state median ($42,495) and national median ($41,809) for teacher education programs—landing at just the 40th percentile in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the debt load of $22,495 sits at the 78th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs manage lower debt burdens.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 is workable for a teaching career, translating to roughly half a year's salary in student loans. However, Minnesota's top education programs demonstrate it's possible to do better: Martin Luther College and University of Minnesota-Morris both achieve starting salaries above $46,000. This $6,000+ gap matters when you're entering a profession with notoriously slow salary growth and limited earning potential.

For a family committed to teaching, this program won't derail financial stability, but it's worth considering whether Minnesota's stronger-performing education programs might better position your child in the job market. The combination of below-median earnings and above-median debt suggests Saint Scholastica offers typical value in a state where better options exist at similar price points.