Education at University of Arkansas

Starting salaries around $31,000 place this program well below both state and national expectations for education graduates. While this sits at the 40th percentile among Arkansas education programs—essentially middle-of-the-pack in-state—it ranks in just the 18th percentile nationally, meaning 82% of similar programs produce better initial outcomes. The debt load of $26,522 isn't outrageous by national standards, but with first-year earnings this low, new teachers will be allocating nearly their entire pre-tax monthly salary to living expenses while managing loan payments.

The saving grace here is strong earnings growth: graduates see a 39% salary bump by year four, reaching $43,274. This trajectory suggests the program prepares teachers who advance reasonably well once they gain experience. However, even after four years, earnings only reach about 10% above the state median for education majors. Keep in mind that fewer than 30 graduates were tracked for this data, so your child's actual experience could differ significantly.

For families committed to teaching and planning to stay in Arkansas, this program offers an accessible path (72% admission rate) with manageable debt and eventual income growth. But if you're weighing education programs across the state, Harding University's graduates start nearly $8,000 higher. The value here depends heavily on net cost after aid and how the university's specific teacher preparation compares to alternatives.