Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development by graduate earnings are University of Illinois Chicago ($60,917), Stockton University ($59,371) and Pacific Lutheran University ($57,624), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Illinois Chicago (Chicago, IL): $60,917, 132 graduates a year
- Stockton University (Galloway, NJ): $59,371, 62 graduates a year
- Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA): $57,624, 62 graduates a year
- Rider University (Lawrenceville, NJ): $57,145, 93 graduates a year
- Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ): $56,300, 33 graduates a year
Compare 1,769 U.S. colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 57 states.
Teacher Education and Professional Development programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,136 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 13.12 and the Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education occupation (BLS SOC).
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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,917 | 132 | 62% | — | $16,750 |
| 2 | Stockton University Galloway, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,371 | 62 | 69% | — | $39,000 |
| 3 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,624 | 62 | 69% | $19,944 | $19,500 |
| 4 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,145 | 93 | 61% | $23,844 | $26,466 |
| 5 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,300 | 33 | 69% | $27,376 | $27,000 |
| 6 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,231 | 148 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 7 | Pierce College District Lakewood, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,849 | 98 | 31% | — | $23,365 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,814 | 48 | 86% | $25,823 | $22,287 |
| 9 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,652 | 74 | 73% | $33,454 | $25,000 |
| 10 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,625 | 144 | 75% | $30,225 | $27,000 |
| 11 | Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,633 | 37 | 56% | $17,490 | $27,000 |
| 12 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,604 | 43 | 65% | — | $25,472 |
| 13 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,594 | 20 | 57% | $29,227 | $22,500 |
| 14 | Kean University Union, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,447 | 177 | 47% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,093 | 184 | 44% | — | $24,671 |
| 16 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,614 | 56 | 80% | $35,682 | $22,250 |
| 17 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,133 | 96 | 65% | — | $22,000 |
| 18 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,054 | 102 | 89% | — | $19,500 |
| 19 | Bowie State University Bowie, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,619 | 106 | 38% | — | — |
| 20 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,395 | 41 | 68% | $26,556 | $26,887 |
| 21 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,861 | 149 | 46% | — | $18,670 |
| 22 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,749 | 149 | 69% | — | $18,750 |
| 23 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,619 | 39 | 38% | — | $24,573 |
| 24 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,545 | 69 | 46% | — | — |
| 25 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,448 | 69 | 39% | — | $12,750 |
Specializations within Teacher Education and Professional Development
13 of the 14 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 13.12 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Elementary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120242,176 graduates / yr1,131 institutions57 states
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.121033,622 graduates / yr910 institutions54 states
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120510,339 graduates / yr530 institutions52 states
- Teacher EducationCIP 13.12069,066 graduates / yr279 institutions49 states
- Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.12996,107 graduates / yr191 institutions46 states
- Junior High/CIP 13.1203
Intermediate/ Middle School Education and Teaching 2,728 graduates / yr273 institutions30 states - Kindergarten/CIP 13.1209
Preschool Education and Teaching 1,689 graduates / yr113 institutions37 states - Adult and Continuing Education and TeachingCIP 13.1201942 graduates / yr67 institutions29 states
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213New in CIP 2020398 graduates / yr21 institutions14 states
- Montessori Teacher EducationCIP 13.1207282 graduates / yr16 institutions15 states
- College/CIP 13.1214
Postsecondary/ University Teaching New in CIP 202095 graduates / yr16 institutions14 states - Online Educator/CIP 13.1211
Online Teaching New in CIP 202059 graduates / yr17 institutions10 states - International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212New in CIP 2020limited data34 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 14 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Waldorf/
Steiner Teacher Education13.1208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 57 states & territories
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
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Teacher Education and Professional Development
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 13.12.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 13.12 (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods) maps to 13 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 13-1151 | Training and Development Specialists |
| 25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 25-2011 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educationprimary |
| 25-2012 | Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education |
| 25-2021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
| 25-2022 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-3011 | Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors |
| 25-3021 | Self-Enrichment Teachers |
| 25-3099 | Teachers and Instructors, All Other |
| 25-9042 | Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education |
| 25-9043 | Teaching Assistants, Special Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
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.
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.
How much do Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates earn?+
Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,136, College Scorecard (2019); the Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education occupation pays about $43,030 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Teacher Education and Professional Development?+
Teacher Education and Professional Development maps to CIP 13.12 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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