Subject-Area Teaching at Ferrum College

Ferrum, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,100/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #347 of 348 Teacher Education programs

Program Analysis

The data for this program reflects a challenging financial landscape for graduates, largely shaped by regional labor market dynamics. Ferrum College's location in rural Virginia means that K-12 teaching positions in surrounding public school districts often offer lower salaries compared to more competitive urban or suburban areas. While the listed career paths show high-earning postsecondary roles, these typically require advanced degrees and extensive experience beyond an undergraduate program, and aren't representative of most graduates' initial trajectories. Your most likely path involves public school teaching where local budgets dictate compensation. The high AI risk also points to potential future shifts in how certain teaching roles are supported or structured. If teaching is your passion, investigate certifications in high-demand subjects like STEM or special education, which can command better salaries even in rural settings, or plan for graduate studies early if those postsecondary positions are your true ambition.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $543K $538K $508K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$153,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,340
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,774
68% growth from Year 1

About Ferrum College

Ferrum College accepts 100% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 745 students in Ferrum, VA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,340 — 42% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Ferrum College →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
View all 30 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Subject-Area Teaching at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ferrum College

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Ferrum College's Subject-Area Teaching program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Subject-Area Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Subject-Area Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Subject-Area Teaching careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Subject-Area Teaching earnings lower at Ferrum College?
Lower starting pay at Ferrum College 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 →