Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates entering teaching face a troubling reality: they earn roughly $10,000 less annually than the typical Arkansas teacher education graduate and $12,500 less than the national median. At just $30,536 in the first year, these earnings place graduates in the bottom 5% nationally—and even within Arkansas, where teacher salaries lag behind many states, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile. Comparing to nearby options tells the story plainly: Southern Arkansas University graduates earn $44,843, while Arkansas Tech graduates make $41,160—both substantially more for similar debt loads.

The earnings trajectory compounds the problem. Rather than seeing the typical salary growth teachers experience as they gain seniority and advanced certifications, UAPB graduates actually see their median earnings decline to $29,218 by year four. While the $26,000 debt load is close to state and national averages, it becomes far more burdensome when paired with these below-market salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85 might seem manageable on paper, but it doesn't capture the squeeze of trying to repay loans on an income that's already $10,000 below what peers at other Arkansas institutions are earning.

For families considering this program, the math is stark: their graduate will likely earn $40,000 to $60,000 less over the first four years compared to attending another Arkansas public university. Unless location or specific circumstances make UAPB the only viable option, other in-state programs offer substantially better financial outcomes for future teachers.