Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Virginia State University

Virginia State's teacher education program starts at a first-year salary of just $26,547—$7,637 below Virginia's median for teacher prep programs and a staggering $16,535 below the national average. Even among Virginia's 18 teacher education programs, this ranks at the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable state programs deliver better starting outcomes. That $30,000 in debt translates to more than a full year's starting salary, creating an immediate financial burden that's particularly concerning given that 71% of students here receive Pell grants and are counting on upward mobility.

The 44% earnings growth to $38,159 by year four offers some relief, but even that improved salary trails both state and national medians. Shenandoah and Regent University graduates in Virginia earn $13,000-$25,000 more right from the start. For context, teaching salaries are heavily influenced by where graduates find employment—districts in Northern Virginia pay substantially more than rural areas—but even accounting for geographic variation, these outcomes place VSU graduates at a disadvantage.

If your child is committed to teaching and has strong ties to the Petersburg area or specific school districts where VSU has placement relationships, this may work. But the combination of below-average starting pay and above-average debt means graduates will face years of tight budgets. Before committing, compare total four-year costs here against Virginia's public universities with stronger teacher education outcomes.