Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Arkansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University are the top bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Arkansas by graduate earnings. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,843, College Scorecard. Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Arkansas: 172, 102 and 95 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Arkansas colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development and award 597 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focused on subject areas, prepares individuals for careers in education by providing essential training and knowledge in various teaching disciplines. This program is…
Top 8 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,843 | 26 | 49% | — | $12,000 |
| 2 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,562 | 102 | 54% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,530 | 172 | 55% | — | $25,134 |
| 4 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,160 | 64 | 49% | — | $24,000 |
| 5 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,489 | 35 | 69% | $19,423 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,525 | 16 | 38% | — | $16,500 |
| 7 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,106 | 17 | 37% | — | $26,000 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,536 | 19 | 40% | — | $25,984 |
Colleges awarding the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Arkansas
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public | 172 | $41,530 |
| 2 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Public | 102 | $41,562 |
| 3 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public | 95 | Not reported |
| 4 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public | 64 | $41,160 |
| 5 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit | 35 | $40,489 |
| 6 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public | 26 | $44,843 |
| 7 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff Public | 19 | $30,536 |
| 8 | Henderson State University Arkadelphia Public | 17 | $38,106 |
| 9 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public | 16 | $40,525 |
| 10 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock Public | 13 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Arkansas colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello | Public | 6 |
| Crowley's Ridge College | Paragould | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021).
Top skills
What Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Arkansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Arkansas.
Which Arkansas colleges award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees?+
Arkansas State University (172 graduates a year), University of Central Arkansas (102 graduates a year) and University of Arkansas (95 graduates a year) award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Arkansas colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development.
What is the best college for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Arkansas?+
By graduate earnings, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus leads among bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Arkansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,843, College Scorecard. University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University follow. By degrees awarded, Arkansas State University is the largest, with 172 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Teacher Education and Professional Development program in Arkansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus tops the list at $44,843. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Arkansas?+
The average annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Arkansas is $56,210 (median $52,700), across about 12,590 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Teacher Education and Professional Development program?+
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focused on subject areas, prepares individuals for careers in education by providing essential training and knowledge in various teaching disciplines. This program is…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop learning strategies, speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?+
The national job outlook is about -2.0% growth with around 91,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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