Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,660
Est. from national median (66 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (43 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 suggests manageable borrowing for this education degree, though the complete financial picture remains unclear due to limited graduate outcome data. Based on comparable bachelor's programs in education nationally, students can expect around $38,660 in first-year earnings and $27,000 in debt—figures that align closely with Pennsylvania's state medians for the field. This puts monthly loan payments at roughly $300 on a standard 10-year plan, consuming about 9% of take-home pay.

What complicates the assessment is the range of outcomes across Pennsylvania's education programs. Wilkes University graduates in similar programs report first-year earnings of $45,273—nearly $7,000 more than the national benchmark—while Cabrini graduates start closer to $28,000. Without specific outcome data for Ursinus, it's difficult to know where along this spectrum its education graduates fall. The school's 87% admission rate and relatively strong SAT profile suggest a solid academic environment, but that doesn't necessarily translate to better teacher placement or starting salaries.

The practical question is whether Ursinus's liberal arts approach and smaller class sizes justify the uncertainty when Pennsylvania offers 20 education programs with varying price points and outcomes. If teaching is the goal and finances matter, you'll want direct conversations with the education department about job placement rates, student teaching partnerships, and where recent graduates actually land positions.

Where Ursinus College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Ursinus CollegeCollegeville$59,196$38,660*—$27,000*—
Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre$42,286$45,273*—$27,000*0.60
Cabrini UniversityRadnor$35,815$27,998*$37,516$27,000*0.96
National Median—$38,660*—$26,522*0.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with education graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ursinus College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 66 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.