Subject-Area Teachingat Washington State University
Graduates earn $55,864/yr in their first year — about 34.0% above the national Subject-Area Teaching average. Base-case 10-year earnings $597K; scenarios range from $553K to $608K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington State University
The impressive earning potential for this program reflects its focus on preparing you to teach specialized subjects at the postsecondary level, rather than general K-12 education. Washington State University’s robust research environment and strong programs across health sciences, natural sciences, and engineering create a natural pipeline for graduates who can effectively instruct in these specific, often technical, fields. You'll be leveraging deep subject matter expertise alongside pedagogical skills, which is highly valued in higher education. This path often leads to faculty positions at universities, community colleges, or professional schools, where roles typically combine instruction with research, curriculum development, and mentorship. To maximize your success, actively pursue opportunities for research or advanced study within your chosen subject during your program, building credentials that appeal to academic institutions.
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 Washington State University'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 Washington State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington State University, 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 Washington State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Subject-Area Teaching at Washington State University?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Subject-Area Teaching field.
Will AI replace Subject-Area Teaching careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $553,387 in decade earnings vs $607,876 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Washington State University's Subject-Area Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #63 of 348 programs nationally, Washington State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.