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

Ole Miss graduates from this teacher education program earn slightly above Mississippi's median for subject-area teaching—landing at the 60th percentile statewide—though they fall short of the national average by about $3,000. The $21,000 in median debt is manageable at roughly half of first-year earnings, keeping monthly payments reasonable on a teacher's salary. For families focused on staying in Mississippi, this program gets you to a competitive starting position among in-state options.

The concerning signal here is the slight earnings decline between year one and year four, dropping from nearly $40,000 to $38,760. This likely reflects teachers who leave the profession or move to lower-paying districts rather than the typical raises that come with experience. Still, this pattern isn't unique to Ole Miss—it's common across teacher preparation programs nationally. What matters more is that debt levels here are lower than 88% of comparable programs, which means graduates avoid the crushing loan burdens that push many teachers out of education altogether.

For a family committed to teaching in Mississippi, Ole Miss offers a cost-effective path into the profession. The value proposition improves considerably if your child qualifies for additional scholarships or aid, given the university's 98% admission rate makes acceptance nearly certain. Just understand that teaching salaries in Mississippi plateau quickly, so this career choice requires genuine commitment to the work itself rather than long-term salary growth.