Teacher Education at Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
58
Optimistic
58
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,624/yr (39% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #181 of 679 Teacher Education programs Top 50%

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 $597K $591K $561K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 58 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,856
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,480
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,293
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Pacific Lutheran University's Teacher Education program earn $57,624/yr in their first year — 39% above the $41,412 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 2.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Teacher Education career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,500 in median debt against $57,624 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #181 ranking among 679 Teacher Education programs places Pacific Lutheran University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $57,624 to $62,293 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 2,350 students in Tacoma, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $85,480 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific Lutheran 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

Teacher Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pacific Lutheran University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at Pacific Lutheran University?
At 58/100, Pacific Lutheran University's Teacher Education program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education at Pacific Lutheran University?
The 30% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Teacher Education at Pacific Lutheran University?
The 58% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $203,856. At a net cost of $85,480, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →