Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Washburn University

Washburn University's education program outperforms the national median by over $4,700 in first-year earnings while keeping debt 12% below the national average—an impressive combination that ranks in the 85th percentile nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates can expect to earn roughly twice their debt in their first year, a manageable starting point for new teachers. Within Kansas, Washburn sits comfortably in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, essentially matching top programs like Friends and Kansas while maintaining lower debt burdens than many competitors.

The earnings decline from $46,519 to $42,831 over four years deserves attention. This pattern likely reflects teachers moving from coaching assignments and extracurricular stipends in their first year to standard teaching positions, or possibly career changes. However, this dip is less concerning in education than other fields—teaching salaries tend to stabilize with experience and union protections, and many Kansas districts offer step increases that eventually push compensation higher.

For families considering Washburn, this program offers solid financial footing for a teaching career. Your child would enter the profession with below-average debt and above-average starting earnings, which matters enormously given typical teacher salaries. While other Kansas programs show marginally higher first-year numbers, Washburn's lower debt load makes it competitive where it counts: the financial stress level of those crucial first years in the classroom.