Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at William Paterson University of New Jersey

William Paterson's subject-specific teaching program reports first-year earnings of $58,854—far above the $43,000 national median for these programs and even exceeding most New Jersey schools. However, these impressive numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, which means a handful of outliers could be skewing the picture significantly. The $31,000 median debt sits slightly above state and national norms, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 suggests manageable repayment if these salary figures hold true for your child.

The flat earnings trajectory (just 1% growth over four years) is typical for New Jersey teachers, where salaries are largely determined by union contracts and step schedules rather than individual performance. What's more telling is that while this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at just the 60th percentile within New Jersey—landing solidly middle-of-the-pack among Garden State options. The College of New Jersey and Rider University both report modestly higher earnings for their graduates in similar programs.

For families specifically interested in subject-area teaching in New Jersey, this program appears financially sound but not exceptional within the state. The small sample size means you should verify these outcomes with the university directly before assuming your child will see similar results. If accepted to multiple New Jersey teaching programs, compare financial aid packages carefully—the differences in starting salaries across state schools are relatively modest.