Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's teacher education program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—a remarkable achievement in a field where starting salaries typically disappoint. At $50,477 in first-year earnings, graduates here earn nearly $9,000 more than the national median for teaching degrees and land among the top five programs in Florida, competing effectively with larger state universities and community colleges.

However, that Florida context matters: the state's teaching market is unusually strong, with the median program hitting $46,328. Tampa's 60th percentile ranking in-state suggests you're paying for outcomes that are good but not exceptional by Florida standards. The $26,000 debt load matches the national median for this degree and sits above Florida's typical $20,995, which makes sense given Tampa's private school price tag. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, graduates can realistically manage repayment on a teacher's salary.

For families considering this program, the question is whether Tampa's strong professional network and urban placement opportunities justify the premium over Florida's excellent public university options. The earnings are solid and the debt manageable, but you're not getting the kind of financial advantage that would make this an obvious choice over FGCU or FAMU, which deliver similar outcomes at lower cost.