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Teacher Education at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $53,133/yr (28% vs median)

AI Risk High (30% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)

ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 of 679 Teacher Education programs Top 1%

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	$666K	$655K	$617K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.9x	17.6x	16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.0x	5.9x	5.5x
Probability of Field Employment	76%	72%	62%
DegreeOutlook Score	78	77	79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,043

4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$68,556

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,133 put Western Washington University's Teacher Education program 28% above the national median of $41,412 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Teacher Education career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $53,133 far exceeding the $20,043 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Among 679 Teacher Education programs nationally, Western Washington University ranks #1 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

A 29% earnings increase from $53,133 to $68,556 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington University →

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at Western Washington University?

At 77/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education at Western Washington University?

The 30% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Western Washington University one of the best schools for Teacher Education?

Among 679 Teacher Education programs, Western Washington University's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →