Teacher Educationat Western Oregon University
Graduates earn $44,845/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Teacher Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $553K; scenarios range from $528K to $557K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Oregon University
First-year earnings of $44,845 at Western Oregon University come in 8% above the national median of $41,412 for Teacher Education programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x 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.
With first-year pay of $44,845 far exceeding the $22,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #75 of 679 nationally, this is a top-5% Teacher Education program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $44,845 to $55,539 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Western Oregon 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 Teacher Education
How Western Oregon University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Oregon University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Oregon University, 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 Western Oregon University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Teacher Education at Western Oregon University?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Teacher Education field.
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 $528,087 in decade earnings vs $557,085 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Oregon University's Teacher Education program stand out?
Ranked #75 of 679 programs nationally, Western Oregon University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.