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 CUNY Queens College ($58,894), William Paterson University of New Jersey ($58,854) and Texas Christian University ($57,665), 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%.
- CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY): $58,894, 395 graduates a year
- William Paterson University of New Jersey (Wayne, NJ): $58,854, 26 graduates a year
- Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX): $57,665, 52 graduates a year
- University of Louisville (Louisville, KY): $56,188, 406 graduates a year
- The College of New Jersey (Ewing, NJ): $56,055, 31 graduates a year
Compare 1,068 U.S. colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Teacher Education and Professional Development programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,077 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 13.13 and the Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation (BLS SOC).
About Teacher Education and Professional Development programs
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 ideal for those passionate about teaching and looking to develop their skills in instructional methods and classroom management. Students in this program will explore specialized areas such as Agricultural Teacher Education, Art Teacher Education, and English/Language Arts Teacher Education, among others. The curriculum emphasizes practical job skills and theoretical knowledge, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their future students.
Learn more about Teacher Education and Professional Development →
Participants in this program will develop critical skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. They will gain knowledge in education and training, psychology, and various subject areas, enabling them to adapt their teaching methods to meet students' needs and interests.
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 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,894 | 395 | 53% | — | $16,000 |
| 2 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,854 | 26 | 44% | — | $31,000 |
| 3 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,665 | 52 | 86% | $25,823 | $26,500 |
| 4 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,188 | 406 | 61% | — | $22,250 |
| 5 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,055 | 31 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 6 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,215 | 88 | 62% | — | $21,182 |
| 7 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,524 | 21 | 63% | — | $27,516 |
| 8 | Baylor University Waco, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,201 | 51 | 80% | $35,682 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,940 | 38 | 61% | $23,844 | $27,000 |
| 10 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,790 | 117 | 60% | $17,205 | $25,524 |
| 11 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,133 | 21 | 49% | $27,869 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,601 | 43 | 67% | $27,455 | $27,000 |
| 13 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,209 | 136 | 69% | — | $21,500 |
| 14 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,097 | 76 | 68% | — | $23,102 |
| 15 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,918 | 37 | 76% | $22,907 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,825 | 35 | 75% | $25,675 | $27,000 |
| 17 | Nevada State University Henderson, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,691 | 24 | 34% | — | — |
| 18 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,610 | 154 | 86% | — | $22,500 |
| 19 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,600 | 50 | 46% | — | $26,767 |
| 20 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,429 | 39 | 36% | — | $26,250 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,006 | 54 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 22 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,969 | 125 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 23 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,587 | 71 | 59% | — | $18,500 |
| 24 | Utah Valley University Orem, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,297 | 131 | 45% | — | $18,715 |
| 25 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,263 | 30 | 65% | $24,925 | $27,000 |
Top 2 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 | Augusta University Augusta, GA Public · Graduate degree | $54,156 | 135 | 49% | — | $25,969 |
| 2 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $49,944 | 64 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
Specializations within Teacher Education and Professional Development
38 of the 38 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 13.13 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Physical Education Teaching and CoachingCIP 13.13147,066 graduates / yr415 institutions50 states
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions45 states
- Music Teacher EducationCIP 13.13124,104 graduates / yr447 institutions49 states
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions48 states
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions50 states - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions38 states
- Social Studies Teacher EducationCIP 13.13181,922 graduates / yr219 institutions37 states
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions48 states
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions32 states
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions35 states
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions44 states - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions36 states
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 institutions39 states
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions20 states
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions20 states - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions29 states
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions23 states - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions19 states
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions29 states
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions31 states
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions21 states - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions25 states
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions26 states
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions18 states
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions21 states - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions11 states
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions20 states
- Environmental EducationCIP 13.1338105 graduates / yr16 institutions14 states
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions9 states
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions8 states
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339New in CIP 2020partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions3 states
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 53 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 25-2021, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Teacher Education and Professional Development program can pursue various teaching careers across multiple disciplines. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 2% in this field, there are still approximately 91,000 annual job openings. The median wage for educators in this area is $62,340, with most positions requiring a bachelor'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 13.13.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 13.13 (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas) maps to 30 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1022 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1041 | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1043 | Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1051 | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1052 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1053 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1054 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1064 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1125 | History Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1192 | Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1193 | Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1194 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educationprimary |
| 25-2022 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-2023 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-2032 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School |
| 25-3099 | Teachers and Instructors, All Other |
| 25-4022 | Librarians and Media Collections Specialists |
| 27-2022 | Coaches and Scouts |
| 39-9031 | Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors |
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
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Agricultural Teacher Education, Art Teacher Education, Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in learning strategies, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, but there are about 91,000 annual job openings in education.
What is the typical education required for this field?+
Most positions in this field require a bachelor's degree.
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 $43,077, College Scorecard (2019); the Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation pays about $72,650 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 13.13 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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