Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Louisville

University of Louisville's teacher education graduates start with earnings that beat every other Kentucky program by more than $19,000—a remarkable achievement in a state where teacher salaries don't typically vary this dramatically. At $56,188 in the first year, these graduates earn 59% more than the state median and outperform 95% of similar programs nationwide.

The debt picture adds to the appeal: at $22,250, graduates owe about $4,000 less than both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.40. That means manageable payments even on a teacher's salary. However, the earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. By year four, median earnings drop to $51,705—still well above Kentucky peers, but an 8% decline that likely reflects either teachers leaving the profession or moving to lower-paying districts. With 100+ graduates in the dataset, this pattern is real, not statistical noise.

For Kentucky families, this program stands out as the clear leader. Even with the earnings decline, fourth-year graduates still earn $16,000 more than their counterparts from other in-state programs. The combination of strong starting salaries, reasonable debt, and maintained earnings advantage makes this an exceptional value for students committed to teaching careers in Kentucky or surrounding regions where Louisville certification commands a premium.