Subject-Area Teachingat Ferrum College
Graduates earn $29,100/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Subject-Area Teaching average. Base-case 10-year earnings $538K; scenarios range from $508K to $543K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ferrum College
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.
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 Ferrum College'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 Subject-Area Teaching
How Ferrum College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Ferrum College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ferrum College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Subject-Area Teaching offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Subject-Area Teaching trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Subject-Area Teaching at Ferrum College
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.