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Education · Teacher Education Rank #17 of 679

Teacher Educationat Central Washington University

Graduates earn $47,359/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Teacher Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $610K; scenarios range from $578K to $618K depending on AI disruption.

Ellensburg, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
76
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,359
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$610K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
41% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Central Washington University

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$578K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple15.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$610K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$618K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple16.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Central Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Teacher Education graduates typically work

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.

1
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
2
Education teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 5,600 openings/yr
$72,090/yr
Moderate
3
Training and development specialists
+10.8% 10-yr growth · 43,900 openings/yr
$65,850/yr
High
4
Teachers and instructors, all other
-0.1% 10-yr growth · 18,000 openings/yr
$64,690/yr
Low
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-2.0% 10-yr growth · 40,500 openings/yr
$62,970/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Teacher Education

How Central Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Illinois Chicago
IL · Public
70
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
9.2x
ROI
Stockton University
NJ · Public
68
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Monroe College
NY · Private for-profit
60
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
5.4x
ROI
Same state (WA)
Pacific Lutheran University
WA · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Rider University
NJ · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
Also at Central Washington University

Other top programs at Central Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Washington 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Teacher Education at Central Washington University

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.