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

University of Wyoming's teaching program delivers something rare in education degrees: earnings well above the national median paired with debt far below it. Starting at nearly $50,000 puts graduates ahead of 95% of similar programs nationally, while the $18,500 median debt is about 30% less than the national average. That 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than four months' salary—a strong foundation for starting a teaching career.

The earnings dip to $46,791 by year four reflects Wyoming's relatively flat teaching salary schedules rather than a program weakness. What matters more is the entry point: these graduates start $6,500 above the national median for education majors, which translates to meaningful breathing room in monthly budgets. Since Wyoming is the only institution offering this specific program in-state, students won't find local alternatives to compare against, but the program's placement in the 95th percentile nationally speaks for itself.

For families weighing an education degree, this program solves the field's typical problem—crushing debt relative to teaching salaries. Wyoming graduates can actually afford their student loans on a teacher's paycheck, something that's become increasingly rare. If your child is committed to teaching and residency isn't an issue, this represents one of the better value propositions in teacher preparation nationwide.