Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,843

Est. from AR median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,134

Est. from AR median (7 programs)

Analysis

Looking at comparable teaching programs across Arkansas, this bachelor's degree appears positioned near the middle of the pack for entry-level teacher pay. The estimated first-year salary of $40,843 closely tracks the state median for subject-area education programs, though it falls about $2,200 below the national benchmark. That gap reflects Arkansas's broader teacher salary landscape—even the state's highest-paying programs struggle to reach $45,000 in first-year earnings.

The estimated debt load of $25,134 is manageable for an education degree, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. For context, peer programs in Arkansas typically produce similar debt levels around $25,500, meaning monthly loan payments would likely consume 7-8% of gross income on a standard repayment plan. While not ideal, this is considerably better than many bachelor's programs where debt exceeds annual earnings.

The real concern is less about this specific program's finances and more about Arkansas teaching salaries generally. When the state's top-performing programs only push first-year earnings into the low $40,000s, any teaching program in Arkansas commits students to below-average educator pay compared to most other states. If your child is set on teaching, this program's estimated outcomes align with state norms—but moving to a neighboring state after graduation could immediately boost their salary by $5,000-$10,000 annually, making relocation worth serious consideration from day one.

Where University of Arkansas at Little Rock Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock	$8,455	$40,843*	—	$25,134*	—
Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia	$9,820	$44,843*	—	$12,000*	0.27
University of Central ArkansasConway	$10,118	$41,562*	$41,606	$26,000*	0.63
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro	$7,754	$41,530*	$40,170	$25,134*	0.61
Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville	$8,508	$41,160*	$39,589	$24,000*	0.58
University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith	$6,906	$40,525*	$39,829	$16,500*	0.41
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock, approximately 41% 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 8 similar programs in AR. Actual outcomes may vary.