Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Three Rivers College

Three Rivers College's education program dramatically outperforms expectations, with first-year earnings of $30,830 crushing both the Missouri median ($21,220) and national average ($19,814) by roughly 45%. Ranking in the 80th percentile statewide and 95th nationally, this program delivers among the strongest entry outcomes you'll find for an associate's degree in education—significantly ahead of competitors like Ozarks Technical and Crowder College. The $9,000 debt load sits right at the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.29 that makes this one of the more affordable paths into teaching.

The major concern is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 13% drop to $26,816 by year four. This could reflect program-specific employment patterns (perhaps substitute teaching transitioning to full-time roles with different timing) or graduates leaving the education field entirely. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—makes it impossible to know whether this pattern is reliable or a statistical quirk from a few individuals' career paths.

For families comfortable with uncertainty, the combination of exceptionally low debt and strong initial placement makes this worth serious consideration, especially if your child plans to continue toward a bachelor's degree. But verify directly with the college about graduate outcomes and whether completers typically transfer to four-year programs—those conversations will matter more than these limited numbers.