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Teacher Education at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,055/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #607 of 679 Teacher Education programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Teacher Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $371K $379K $377K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 12.2x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.8x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $29,055 per year, Teacher Education graduates from California State University-San Marcos earn below the $41,412 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 12.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 30% task exposure — and the -1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,000 debt-to-$29,055 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #607 out of 679 programs, California State University-San Marcos's financial outcomes for Teacher Education trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About California State University-San Marcos

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, enrolling 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090/yr
Training and development specialists $65,850/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 679 schools offering Teacher Education →

Teacher Education at Other Schools

University of Illinois Chicago ($60,917) Stockton University ($59,371) Monroe College ($58,194) Pacific Lutheran University ($57,624) Rider University ($57,145) Seton Hall University ($56,300) The College of New Jersey ($56,231) Pierce College District ($55,849)

Other Majors at California State University-San Marcos

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,799) Accounting and Related Services ($63,366) Computer Systems Analysis ($61,054) Computer Science ($60,645) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,682) Physics ($56,018) International Business ($55,455) Management Information Systems and Services ($55,102)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-San Marcos's Teacher Education program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Teacher Education. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Teacher Education to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Teacher Education careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 30% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Teacher Education earnings lower at California State University-San Marcos?
Lower starting pay at California State University-San Marcos may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →