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Teacher Education at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
76
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,359/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.6x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 679 Teacher Education programs Top 5%

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 $618K $610K $578K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.6x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.7x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,768
Out-of-state: $107,084 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,860
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,205
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,318
32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,359/yr, edging above the $41,412 national average for Teacher Education — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Teacher Education programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Teacher Education's typical career paths, with 30% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,205 in median debt against $47,359 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #17 of 679 nationally, this is a top-5% Teacher Education program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $47,359 to $62,318 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington University →

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 Central Washington University

Construction Management ($81,666) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($81,377) Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians ($77,500) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($65,871) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($56,049) Accounting and Related Services ($55,215) Computer Science ($52,362) Economics ($52,129)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Teacher Education at Central Washington University?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Teacher Education nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Teacher Education careers?
With 30% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $577,958 in decade earnings vs $618,304 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Central Washington University's Teacher Education program stand out?
Ranked #17 of 679 programs nationally, Central Washington University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →