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

Teaching programs in Washington typically launch graduates into higher starting salaries than most other states, and this program's estimated first-year earnings of $49,177 align with that state median. The estimated $27,000 debt load—while slightly above Washington's typical $24,688 for teacher education programs—produces a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates would owe about six and a half months' salary, reasonable territory for an education degree. The numbers suggest a financially viable path into teaching, though peer institutions like Pacific Lutheran and Washington State University show some Washington teaching programs launching graduates at $55,000-$58,000.

The real question is whether a private liberal arts institution is the most cost-effective route to a teaching credential. Based on similar programs at this type of school nationally, the debt estimate sits right at the national median for teacher education degrees. Washington's strong teacher salaries help offset that borrowing—comparable programs in states with weaker education funding would present a tougher financial picture. The 17% Pell grant rate suggests most families here are paying largely out-of-pocket or through larger loans, so actual debt could vary significantly from these peer-derived estimates.

For a family evaluating this investment, the fundamentals look solid: teaching credentials lead to stable employment, Washington pays its teachers reasonably well, and the estimated debt burden isn't alarming. But given the unknowns here, comparing actual graduate outcomes from the state's other programs—particularly those reporting higher starting salaries—makes sense before committing to private school tuition for a field with relatively standardized entry-level pay.