Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth's teaching program sits solidly in the middle of Minnesota's options, with graduates earning roughly $3,000 less than the state median for this field. That 40th percentile ranking becomes more meaningful when you consider that several Minnesota schools—including Concordia-Moorhead and St. Olaf—consistently place graduates $6,000 higher right out of college. In a profession where starting salaries are already modest, that gap represents a meaningful difference in financial breathing room during those early career years.

The bright spot here is the debt picture: at $28,000, graduates borrow just above the state median but well below national norms (17th percentile nationally). That manageable debt load produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, which means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in eight months of gross income. The 7% earnings growth over four years is typical for teaching positions with step increases, though the absolute dollar amounts—mid-$40Ks—remain modest.

For Minnesota families, this comes down to cost. If UMN-Duluth offers significant in-state tuition savings compared to the higher-performing private colleges on this list, the lower debt might offset the earnings difference. But if the total cost is comparable, the data suggests other Minnesota programs deliver better early-career outcomes for future teachers.