Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Washington University in St Louis

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,507

Est. from MO median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$29,846

Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

Washington University's exceptional selectivity—admitting just 12% of applicants with a 1530 average SAT—stands in stark contrast to what peer education programs in Missouri typically deliver financially. Similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $35,500, while this program carries an estimated $29,846 in debt. That's nearly a full year's salary in loans, a burden considerably higher than what graduates of Mizzou's education program typically manage.

The disconnect here is striking: you're paying Ivy-level tuition (WashU is one of the nation's most expensive universities) for outcomes that comparable programs suggest will mirror regional teacher salaries. Missouri's education market doesn't differentiate based on institutional prestige the way investment banking or tech might. The University of Missouri-Columbia's reported outcomes of $39,755 suggest established state schools may actually produce stronger financial results in this field.

Teaching is meaningful work, but economics matter. If your child is set on teaching specific subjects and has WashU-caliber credentials, they could likely secure merit aid at Missouri's flagship programs—or attend tuition-free at College of the Ozarks—and end up with similar or better financial positioning. Unless WashU is offering a substantial aid package that dramatically reduces borrowing, this program's estimated debt load seems misaligned with the reality of teacher compensation in Missouri.

Where Washington University in St Louis Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (30 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis	$62,982	$35,507*	—	$29,846*	—
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia	$14,130	$39,755*	—	$17,654*	0.44
Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield	$9,024	$38,211*	$40,028	$30,294*	0.79
Culver-Stockton CollegeCanton	$29,915	$37,077*	—	$29,517*	0.80
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville	$10,181	$37,057*	$37,306	$26,221*	0.71
College of the OzarksPoint Lookout	$21,290	$37,042*	$33,654	—*	—
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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 Washington University in St Louis, approximately 16% 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 median of 11 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.