Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Wartburg College

Wartburg's teacher education program delivers above-average starting salaries at $45,677—outpacing both the national median by nearly $2,600 and placing graduates in the 60th percentile among Iowa's 23 programs. The $27,000 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary. This positions Wartburg competitively with larger state universities like Iowa and Simpson College, despite its 99% admission rate suggesting less selective entry standards.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth to $48,082 by year four—a 5% increase that's respectable for teaching, where salary schedules typically follow predictable patterns. While Wartburg doesn't match Iowa State's $47,559 starting point, it sits comfortably in the middle tier of Iowa programs, suggesting graduates secure teaching positions in reasonably competitive districts. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reliable data without major concerns about statistical noise.

For families committed to teaching careers, this represents a solid in-state option that won't burden graduates with excessive debt while providing credentials that translate to competitive starting positions. The combination of manageable borrowing and above-median earnings makes this program work financially in a profession where income growth depends more on years of service than institutional prestige.