Education at Salem College

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Education, General
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,646/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Small (5,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #49 of 66 Education, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $488K $489K $466K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 71% 63% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$128,944
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,340
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,531
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,646/yr, Education graduates from Salem College land near the $39,301 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 3.8x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$36,646 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #49 out of 66 programs, Salem College's financial outcomes for Education trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,646 to $46,531 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Salem College

With 87% of applicants admitted, Salem College prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 390 students in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 49% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $75,340 over four years — 42% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem College →

Top Career Paths

Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Salem College

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

How does Salem College's Education program score?
This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Education. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Education to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Education careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →