Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at University of Northwestern-St Paul

The limited data here—fewer than 30 graduates—makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions, but the available numbers reveal a troubling pattern. Graduates start below both the state median ($42,495) and national average ($41,809), then see their earnings drop 15% by year four to just $33,463. While teaching salaries can fluctuate based on contract timing and part-time work, this trajectory lags behind what graduates from other Minnesota programs typically experience.

Looking at Minnesota's landscape, Northwestern-St Paul sits near the bottom among 29 teacher education programs. Martin Luther College and University of Minnesota-Morris graduates earn around $46,000—roughly 40% more than Northwestern grads at the four-year mark. The $25,250 in debt here is slightly below state and national medians, which helps somewhat, but doesn't change the fundamental math: graduates owe 64 cents for every dollar they earn in their first year, a manageable ratio only if those earnings grow rather than shrink.

The small sample size is a red flag in itself—it might indicate a struggling program or simply that this data doesn't capture the full picture. If your child is set on teaching and Northwestern for other reasons, request detailed job placement data and starting salary information directly from the program. Otherwise, several Minnesota schools deliver stronger outcomes for similar debt.