Education at University of Arkansas at Monticello

Teacher preparation programs across Arkansas show a $4,000 spread in first-year earnings, with Harding graduates at $39,242 and University of Arkansas grads starting at $31,068. Based on comparable education bachelor's programs nationally, University of Arkansas at Monticello likely falls around $38,660—tracking close to Harding but well above both the Arkansas median of $35,155 and their in-state competitors at the flagship campus. For parents, this suggests UAM's program may provide better early earning potential than some larger institutions in the state.

The estimated debt load of $24,333 appears manageable for education majors, coming in below both the state median ($33,448) and the national benchmark ($26,522). That 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary—a reasonable burden for a field where steady employment and loan forgiveness programs can help accelerate repayment. With nearly half of UAM students receiving Pell grants, this lower debt figure matters even more for families watching every dollar.

The main uncertainty here is that we're working from peer program data rather than UAM's actual graduate outcomes. Still, teaching salaries in Arkansas follow fairly predictable patterns based on state funding formulas, so these estimates likely reflect reality more closely than they would in fields with wider salary variation. For families committed to education careers in Arkansas, this program appears positioned to deliver competitive outcomes without excessive debt.