Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Trinity Christian College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$44,538

61st percentile

40th percentile in Illinois

Median Debt

$27,000

3% above national median

Analysis

Trinity Christian College graduates just under 30 students per year from this program, making these numbers directional rather than definitive. That said, the pattern here is notably different from what most Illinois teaching programs deliver. Starting at $44,538, these graduates earn slightly above the national median but fall below the state median of $44,601—landing in just the 40th percentile among Illinois programs. The debt load of $27,000 matches the state median exactly but is lower than most national programs (25th percentile), creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61.

The real question is whether Trinity's approach—a small, Christian college with an 89% admission rate—is worth choosing over alternatives when Illinois offers considerably stronger outcomes at larger programs. Northeastern Illinois and SIU-Carbondale graduates earn $63,615 and $54,215 respectively, representing 40-50% higher starting salaries. Even mid-tier options like North Central College deliver $48,074. For a field where initial salary matters significantly (teachers often follow structured pay scales that compound early advantages), starting in the middle of the pack could mean thousands less over a career.

If your child values Trinity's specific community and faith-based approach to teacher preparation, these outcomes aren't alarming—the debt is manageable and earnings are respectable. But purely on financial merit, stronger teaching programs exist throughout Illinois at similar or lower cost.

Where Trinity Christian College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Trinity Christian College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (43 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights	$20,325	$44,538	—	$27,000	0.61
Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago	$12,383	$63,615	—	$25,250	0.40
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale	$13,244	$54,215	$60,744	$21,182	0.39
North Central CollegeNaperville	$44,394	$48,074	—	$27,000	0.56
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago	$14,338	$47,292	$56,110	$17,125	0.36
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign	$16,004	$46,897	$47,132	$21,500	0.46
National Median	—	$43,082	—	$26,221	0.61

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 Trinity Christian College, approximately 33% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.