Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Nevada-Reno

UNR's teacher education program sits in an interesting position: its graduates earn well above the national average for teaching programs but trail other Nevada options, particularly Nevada State University. With first-year earnings of $47,544, graduates outperform 83% of similar programs nationwide. However, within Nevada's limited education market, this ranks in the 40th percentile—below the state median of $49,118 and notably behind Nevada State's $50,691.

The financial picture still looks reasonable. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates carry less than half their first-year salary in loans, and the $20,769 debt load sits below both state and national medians. For a teaching career—which offers predictable salary schedules and often includes loan forgiveness programs—these numbers work.

The catch: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these figures could shift considerably with a larger sample. If your child is set on teaching and wants UNR's broader university experience, this won't derail their finances. But if they're purely focused on teaching careers in Nevada, Nevada State's track record deserves serious consideration—that $3,000 difference in starting salary compounds over a career. For families prioritizing in-state teaching opportunities, compare both schools' placement rates and district partnerships before deciding.