Teacher Educationat American University
Graduates earn $55,625/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Teacher Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $629K; scenarios range from $594K to $638K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at American University
American University's location in Washington, D.C. profoundly shapes the career trajectory and earning potential for its education graduates. This isn't solely about traditional K-12 teaching; the D.C. metropolitan area offers a unique ecosystem of federal agencies, international organizations, non-profits, and corporate training departments all requiring sophisticated educational expertise. Your "Teacher Education and Professional Development" degree here often translates into roles in instructional design for government contractors, educational policy analysis at think tanks, or developing robust training programs for national associations, rather than just public school classrooms.
The program's focus on "Professional Development" suggests a curriculum designed to prepare you for these broader, often higher-paying, applications of educational theory. This specialization, coupled with AU's strong networking opportunities within the D.C. professional landscape, positions graduates for leadership and curriculum development roles in diverse settings. To maximize your return, actively pursue internships with D.C.-based organizations and tailor your coursework towards areas like adult learning, educational technology, or policy analysis, leveraging the city's unique labor market.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Teacher Education
How American University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at American University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at American University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Teacher Education offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Teacher Education at American University
What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at American University?
At 58/100, American University's Teacher Education program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education at American University?
The 30% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is American University one of the best schools for Teacher Education?
Among 679 Teacher Education programs, American University's #164 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.