Best Teacher Education and Professional Development institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 1,771 U.S. colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
About Teacher Education and Professional Development programs
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 settings, providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support diverse learners across different age groups and educational contexts.
Learn more about Teacher Education and Professional Development →
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing. Coursework covers areas like education and training, psychology, and administration, equipping future educators with both theoretical knowledge and practical strategies to effectively engage and support their students.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,917 | 149 | 62% | — | $16,750 |
| 2 | Stockton University Galloway, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,371 | 61 | 69% | — | $39,000 |
| 3 | Monroe University Bronx, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,194 | 14 | 57% | $12,028 | $21,450 |
| 4 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,624 | 59 | 69% | $19,944 | $19,500 |
| 5 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,145 | 119 | 61% | $23,844 | $26,466 |
| 6 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,300 | 43 | 69% | $27,376 | $27,000 |
| 7 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,231 | 156 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 8 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,849 | 75 | 31% | — | $23,365 |
| 9 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,814 | 60 | 86% | $25,823 | $22,287 |
| 10 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,652 | 58 | 73% | $33,454 | $25,000 |
| 11 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,625 | 169 | 75% | $30,225 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Walla Walla University College Place, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,427 | 13 | 60% | $22,260 | $29,249 |
| 13 | Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,633 | 32 | 56% | $17,490 | $27,000 |
| 14 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,604 | 33 | 65% | — | $25,472 |
| 15 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,594 | 30 | 57% | $29,227 | $22,500 |
| 16 | Kean University Union, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,447 | 150 | 47% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,093 | 143 | 44% | — | $24,671 |
| 18 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,614 | 64 | 80% | $35,682 | $22,250 |
| 19 | Coppin State University Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,215 | 12 | 26% | — | $33,865 |
| 20 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,133 | 88 | 65% | — | $22,000 |
| 21 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,054 | 87 | 89% | — | $19,500 |
| 22 | University of Alaska Southeast Juneau, AK Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,875 | 59 | 28% | — | $20,527 |
| 23 | Bowie State University Bowie, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,619 | 38 | 38% | — | — |
| 24 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,395 | 38 | 68% | $26,556 | $26,887 |
| 25 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,861 | 164 | 46% | — | $18,670 |
| 26 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,749 | 175 | 69% | — | $18,750 |
| 27 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,619 | 41 | 38% | — | $24,573 |
| 28 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,545 | 61 | 46% | — | — |
| 29 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,448 | 77 | 39% | — | $12,750 |
| 30 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,300 | 75 | 65% | $24,925 | $27,000 |
| 31 | Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,236 | 77 | 50% | — | $26,000 |
| 32 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,951 | 75 | 57% | — | $19,489 |
| 33 | Stetson University DeLand, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,826 | 11 | 62% | $21,948 | $27,000 |
| 34 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,736 | 39 | 53% | — | — |
| 35 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,725 | 21 | 76% | $22,907 | $27,000 |
| 36 | Butler University Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,707 | 46 | 80% | $35,696 | $27,000 |
| 37 | University of Mary Hardin - Baylor Belton, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,657 | 30 | 49% | $27,869 | $27,000 |
| 38 | Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,544 | 108 | 68% | — | $22,804 |
| 39 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,539 | 79 | 79% | $26,585 | $27,000 |
| 40 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,486 | 17 | 59% | $26,342 | $27,209 |
| 41 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,477 | 50 | 64% | $33,070 | $26,000 |
| 42 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,442 | 171 | 77% | — | $20,995 |
| 43 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,401 | 165 | 64% | — | $19,334 |
| 44 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,389 | 27 | 75% | $25,675 | $27,000 |
| 45 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,312 | 45 | 78% | $36,004 | $32,375 |
| 46 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,178 | 109 | 63% | — | $17,661 |
| 47 | Dickinson State University Dickinson, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,811 | 40 | 51% | — | $25,750 |
| 48 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,672 | 62 | 38% | — | $19,900 |
| 49 | University of Jamestown Jamestown, ND Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,608 | 9 | 49% | $19,583 | $27,000 |
| 50 | Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,499 | 1 | 50% | $26,831 | $23,168 |
Offered across 51 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2011, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Teacher Education and Professional Development program can pursue various teaching roles, with a projected job growth of 4.1% and approximately 65,500 annual openings. The median annual wage for educators in this field is $37,120, and typical education required is an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Teacher Education and Professional Development programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Teacher Education and Professional Development
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Adult and Continuing Education and TeachingCIP 13.1201
A program that prepares individuals to teach adult students in various settings, including basic and remedial education programs, continuing education programs, and programs designed to develop or upg
- Elementary Education and TeachingCIP 13.1202
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the elementary grades, which may include kindergarten through grade eight, depending on the school system or state regulations
- Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and TeachingCIP 13.1203
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the middle, intermediate or junior high grades, which may include grades four through nine by regulation.
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.1205
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in the secondary grades, which may include grades seven through twelve, depending on the school system or state regulations
- Teacher Education, Multiple LevelsCIP 13.1206
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at more than one educational level, such as a combined program in elementary/secondary, early childhood/elementary, elementary/middle school, or j
- Montessori Teacher EducationCIP 13.1207
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori and her followers.
- Waldorf/Steiner Teacher EducationCIP 13.1208
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Rudolf Steiner and his followers.
- Kindergarten/Preschool Education and TeachingCIP 13.1209
A program that prepares individuals to teach students in formal settings prior to beginning regular elementary school, usually ranging in age from three to six years (or grade one), depending on the s
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.1210
A program that prepares individuals to teach students ranging in age from infancy through eight years (grade three), depending on the school system or state regulations
- Online Educator/Online TeachingCIP 13.1211
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various academic levels through online instructional technologies
- International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212
A program that prepares individuals to teach in schools that are implementing or proposing to implement the International Baccalaureate curriculum
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213
A program that prepares individuals to connect education practices with scientific, engineering, and mathematical principles for PreK-12 students
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Adult and Continuing Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Montessori Teacher Education, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and learning strategies.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and 65,500 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
An associate's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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