Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at William Woods University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,507

Est. from MO median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$29,846

Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

In Missouri, teaching graduates face a challenging financial reality, and William Woods appears to follow that pattern. Based on comparable education programs statewide, graduates here can expect first-year earnings around $35,507—which lands at the state median but trails the national benchmark by over $7,500. The estimated debt load of nearly $30,000 pushes the debt-to-earnings ratio to 0.84, meaning graduates would owe almost a full year's salary before taxes.

That debt figure is noteworthy. While peer education programs in Missouri typically see graduates carrying around $26,000 in debt, William Woods' estimated load runs about $4,000 higher. Meanwhile, similar programs at Missouri's public universities—like Mizzou and Missouri State—show first-year earnings several thousand dollars above what this program's graduates are projected to earn, creating a tougher path to debt repayment.

The bottom line: This looks like a below-average investment even within a field known for modest starting salaries. With earnings estimates derived from the state median and debt tracking above typical Missouri education programs, the financial picture suggests caution. If your child is set on teaching, programs at Missouri's larger public universities appear to offer better earning trajectories at similar or lower debt levels. The lack of reported data here makes it impossible to know if William Woods' actual outcomes differ from these estimates.

Where William Woods University 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
William Woods UniversityFulton	$28,860	$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 William Woods University, approximately 30% 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.