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Teacher Education at Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
70
Base Case
74
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,210/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 39.8x earnings multiple (10.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 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 $538K $536K $513K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 40.0x 39.8x 38.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.0x 10.9x 10.4x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 70 74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$13,464
Out-of-state: $49,088 (10.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,108
-168% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $48,210/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 39.8x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,000 in median debt against $48,210 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #26 of 679 nationally, this is a top-5% Teacher Education program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Polk State College

enrolling 5,954 students in Winter Haven, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Polk State College →

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 Polk State College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,004) Air Transportation ($50,499) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,921) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,808)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Teacher Education at Polk State College?
This program scores 70/100 — 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 $512,871 in decade earnings vs $538,407 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Polk State College's Teacher Education program stand out?
Ranked #26 of 679 programs nationally, Polk State College 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 →