Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
North Carolina A & T State University, Elon University and North Carolina Central University are the top bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. North Carolina A & T State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,099, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Appalachian State University award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in North Carolina: 516, 242 and 218 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 102 North Carolina colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development and award 5,555 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focusing on various levels and methods, prepares individuals for careers in education. This program is designed for those who aspire to teach or work in educational…
Top 10 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 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,099 | 49 | 57% | — | — |
| 2 | Elon University Elon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,095 | 49 | 84% | $33,688 | $20,000 |
| 3 | North Carolina Central University Durham Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,773 | 85 | 42% | — | $31,880 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,979 | 179 | 85% | — | $21,500 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,342 | 132 | 56% | — | $24,000 |
| 6 | Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,077 | 29 | 47% | — | $30,000 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,973 | 242 | 44% | — | $23,250 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,789 | 516 | 69% | — | $24,763 |
| 9 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,690 | 207 | 63% | — | $23,625 |
| 10 | Belmont Abbey College Belmont Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,167 | 22 | 47% | $22,639 | $27,000 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham Technical Community College Durham Public · Certificate | $33,260 | 54 | 45% | — | $25,522 |
| 2 | Stanly Community College Albemarle Public · Associate degree | $32,147 | 110 | 48% | — | — |
| 3 | Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown Public · Associate degree | $31,215 | 97 | 31% | — | $19,750 |
| 4 | South Piedmont Community College Polkton Public · Certificate | $31,111 | 31 | 38% | — | $8,200 |
| 5 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem Public · Certificate | $30,867 | 198 | 34% | — | $17,101 |
| 6 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh Public · Certificate | $28,498 | 233 | 33% | — | $18,602 |
| 7 | Lenoir Community College Kinston Public · Certificate | $27,534 | 28 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | James Sprunt Community College Kenansville Public · Associate degree | $26,775 | 129 | 48% | — | — |
| 9 | Alamance Community College Graham Public · Associate degree | $26,105 | 210 | 39% | — | — |
| 10 | Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville Public · Certificate | $25,176 | 50 | 46% | — | $15,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in North Carolina
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 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 516 | $42,789 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Public | 242 | $42,973 |
| 3 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 218 | $41,144 |
| 4 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 207 | $42,690 |
| 5 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 179 | $44,979 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 178 | $40,777 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 148 | $29,897 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 132 | $43,342 |
| 9 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 122 | $40,594 |
| 10 | Pitt Community College Winterville Public | 103 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 92 North Carolina colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2011).
Top skills
What Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees?+
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (516 graduates a year), University of North Carolina at Pembroke (242 graduates a year) and Appalachian State University (218 graduates a year) award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 102 North Carolina colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development.
What is the best college for Teacher Education and Professional Development in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, North Carolina A & T State University leads among bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,099, College Scorecard. Elon University and North Carolina Central University follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the largest, with 516 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Teacher Education and Professional Development program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Carolina A & T State University tops the list at $49,099. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in North Carolina is $37,340 (median $35,710), across about 18,370 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 focusing on various levels and methods, prepares individuals for careers in education. This program is designed for those who aspire to teach or work in educational…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, learning strategies, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education?+
The national job outlook is about +4.1% growth with around 65,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate'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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