Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at University of the Incarnate Word

University of the Incarnate Word's teaching program produces graduates earning above the national median but surprisingly below the Texas state median—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. This matters because Texas teachers often stay in-state for employment, and graduates here start about $200 below the typical Texas teaching graduate while carrying $4,000 more debt. The school serves a predominantly middle-income student body (93% acceptance rate, 43% on Pell grants), yet the debt load of $31,000 ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning only 5% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt.

That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 remains manageable for a teaching career, and graduates do see steady income growth to $48,479 by year four. The real question is whether this program justifies its premium cost compared to other Texas options. Top private schools in the state like TCU and Baylor produce graduates earning $7,000-$12,000 more annually, while UIW sits in the middle tier of Texas teaching programs without the middle-tier pricing to match.

For families considering UIW specifically for its San Antonio location or mission, the financial picture is workable but not compelling. If your child has options at UT system schools or other public universities with lower debt loads, those likely offer better value for a teaching career where earnings are relatively standardized across institutions.