Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, East Carolina University and University of North Carolina at Greensboro are the top bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. North Carolina State University at Raleigh leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,211, College Scorecard. Appalachian State University, East Carolina University and North Carolina State University at Raleigh award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in North Carolina: 174, 133 and 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 North Carolina colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development and award 661 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 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 State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,211 | 86 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,607 | 133 | 63% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,033 | 62 | 56% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,829 | 20 | 44% | — | $26,660 |
| 5 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,444 | 45 | 60% | — | $25,500 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,018 | 174 | 75% | — | $21,614 |
| 7 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,465 | 34 | 57% | — | $23,038 |
| 8 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,316 | 13 | 52% | $16,473 | $26,889 |
| 9 | Wingate University Wingate Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,245 | 11 | 46% | $21,585 | $26,614 |
| 10 | Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,557 | 7 | 47% | — | — |
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 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 174 | $41,018 |
| 2 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 133 | $43,607 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 86 | $45,211 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 62 | $43,033 |
| 5 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 45 | $41,444 |
| 6 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public | 34 | $40,465 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Public | 20 | $42,829 |
| 8 | High Point University High Point Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Mount Olive Mount Olive Private not-for-profit | 13 | $45,316 |
| 10 | Wingate University Wingate Private not-for-profit | 11 | $41,245 |
ShowHide the other 19 North Carolina colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | 10 |
| Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem | Public | 7 |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | Public | 4 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Lees-McRae College | Banner Elk | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston | Public | 4 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Elon University | Elon | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Meredith College | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | Public | 3 |
| Brevard College | Brevard | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mars Hill University | Mars Hill | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Salem College | Winston-Salem | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Chowan University | Murfreesboro | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Greensboro College | Greensboro | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Livingstone College | Salisbury | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
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 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?+
Appalachian State University (174 graduates a year), East Carolina University (133 graduates a year) and North Carolina State University at Raleigh (86 graduates a year) award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 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 State University at Raleigh 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 $45,211, College Scorecard. East Carolina University and University of North Carolina at Greensboro follow. By degrees awarded, Appalachian State University is the largest, with 174 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 State University at Raleigh tops the list at $45,211. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in North Carolina is $54,070 (median $54,930), across about 42,410 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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