Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's teaching program graduates earn about $8,000 less than the national median for education majors—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally. That's troubling context, though within Ohio's competitive teaching market, the picture improves slightly: these graduates earn near the state median, placing them around the 40th percentile among Ohio education programs. Still, top Ohio programs like Ohio Dominican and Capital University produce graduates earning $7,000-9,000 more annually.

The debt load compounds the challenge. At $29,500, graduates carry more debt than 93% of teaching programs nationally, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87—meaning nearly a full year's salary goes toward repayment. For a profession notorious for modest pay, starting at $33,735 leaves little financial breathing room. The modest 6% earnings growth over four years offers limited relief, bringing graduates to just $35,905—still well below what many Ohio programs deliver from day one.

For families considering in-state options for teaching, this program requires careful financial planning. The combination of below-average starting salaries and above-average debt creates immediate budget pressure that may take years to resolve. Other Ohio public universities deliver significantly better earnings outcomes at similar or lower debt levels, making comparison shopping particularly worthwhile for education majors.