Teacher Educationat San Diego State University
Graduates earn $28,793/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Teacher Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $507K; scenarios range from $488K to $508K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at San Diego State
The data indicates that graduates from San Diego State's Teacher Education program typically earn less than the national average for this field. This often reflects the reality of entry-level public school teaching salaries in a high cost-of-living region like San Diego. While California teacher salaries can be robust, the structured pay scales common in districts like San Diego Unified mean early career earnings are fixed, regardless of the significant demand for qualified educators. Your initial compensation will primarily be determined by your education level and years of service, rather than market negotiation.
However, SDSU has strong pipelines into local K-12 districts, offering valuable student teaching and networking opportunities. A degree here positions you well for roles across San Diego County, where you'll contribute to a vital public service. As you progress, you can increase your earning potential through advanced degrees, specializing in high-need subjects, or pursuing leadership roles. Understand that early career teaching is an investment; factor San Diego's expenses into your financial planning.
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 San Diego State'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 Teacher Education
How San Diego State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at San Diego State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at San Diego State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Teacher Education offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Teacher Education at San Diego State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Teacher Education at San Diego State University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Teacher Education. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $487,750 in decade earnings vs $507,566 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Teacher Education from San Diego State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.