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Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

St Petersburg College delivers an extraordinary value proposition with a negative net cost of $52, meaning students actually receive money to attend while pursuing teacher education credentials. This financial advantage stems from generous federal and state aid packages that exceed tuition costs at many public institutions. The earnings range for graduates spans $32,350 to $47,260, with Texas A&M International University graduates commanding the highest salaries at $46,087 annually. Public schools dominate this affordable market, accounting for 13 of the 15 institutions, while private options like Gods Bible School and College maintain competitive pricing at $3,138 net cost. Teacher education programs at this price point serve a critical national need, as the U.S. faces projected shortages of over 270,000 teachers by 2025. Many of these programs specifically target underserved communities, with tribal colleges like United Tribes Technical College and Oglala Lakota College addressing educational gaps in Native American communities. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Oglala Lakota College's 11.5% to CUNY Baruch's impressive 72.1%, reflecting different institutional missions and student populations.
50
Programs
$-52 – $5,881
Net Price Range
$34,600
Avg. Program Earnings
41.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $3,120 61.3%
3 $2,010 $4,252 33.8%
4 $2,065 $2,684 11.5%
5 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
6 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
7 $2,795 $4,038 42.2%
8 $2,915 $3,100 56.6%
9 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
10 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
11 $3,031 $600 42.6% 93.3%
12 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
13 $3,138 $7,696 50.0% 63.8%
14 $3,149 $4,751 31.6%
15 $3,307 $4,250 19.7%
16 $3,455 $4,010 23.9%
17 $3,474 $2,626 54.5%
18 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
19 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
20 $3,613 $4,420 30.6%
21 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
22 $3,669 $3,870 17.1%
23 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
24 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
25 $4,146 $2,370 35.5%
26 $4,282 $3,320 30.4%
27 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
28 $4,443 $3,165 51.1%
29 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
30 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
31 $4,620 $3,414 22.4%
32 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
33 $4,704 $6,970 52.2%
34 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
35 $4,812 $5,460 47.7%
36 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
37 $5,144 $2,570 20.7%
38 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
39 $5,216 $6,400 32.6%
40 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
41 $5,455 $14,180
42 $5,554 $3,246 42.9%
43 $5,580 $3,610 32.5%
44 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
45 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
46 $5,732 $8,054 56.2%
47 $5,804 $24,820 34.1%
48 $5,808 $2,830 45.7%
49 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
50 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's negative net cost possible for teacher education students?

St Petersburg College's negative $52 net cost results from federal Pell Grants and state aid exceeding the school's $2,682 in-state tuition. Students receive more financial aid than they pay in educational costs, effectively getting paid to attend. This unique situation occurs when need-based aid calculations determine students require more support than the actual cost of attendance. The college's low tuition structure and Florida's teacher education incentives contribute to this remarkable financial benefit.

How do graduation rates compare between tribal colleges and traditional institutions in teacher education?

Tribal colleges show significantly lower graduation rates, with Oglala Lakota College at 11.5% and United Tribes Technical College at 33.8%, compared to mainstream institutions. These colleges serve unique populations often requiring remedial coursework and facing economic challenges that traditional metrics don't capture. In contrast, CUNY Baruch College achieves a 72.1% graduation rate while maintaining affordability at $2,978 net cost. The lower rates at tribal institutions reflect their mission to serve first-generation college students and communities with limited educational infrastructure.

Is teacher education more affordable at public colleges compared to private institutions?

Public colleges dominate the affordable teacher education market, with 13 of 15 schools being publicly funded institutions. The most expensive option, Gods Bible School and College at $3,138 net cost, remains remarkably affordable despite its private status. Public institutions benefit from state subsidies that keep net costs low, with Florida colleges particularly competitive. Even CUNY schools in expensive New York City maintain net costs under $3,000, demonstrating how public funding supports accessible teacher preparation.

Where do teacher education graduates earn the highest starting salaries from these affordable programs?

Texas A&M International University graduates command the highest earnings at $46,087 annually, despite the school's modest $3,061 net cost. This reflects strong demand for bilingual educators along the Texas-Mexico border where the university operates. Florida institutions like St Petersburg College produce graduates earning $41,565, while New York's CUNY campuses show lower starting salaries around $32,350 to $33,993. The earnings variation often corresponds to regional cost of living and local school district funding levels.

Does attending a community college limit teacher education career prospects?

Community colleges in this group, including Chipola College with its 61.3% graduation rate, often provide solid foundations for teaching careers through transfer agreements with four-year institutions. Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earn $39,369 annually, demonstrating that community college preparation can lead to competitive salaries. Many community colleges offer associate degrees that qualify graduates for paraprofessional roles while completing bachelor's requirements. The key advantage lies in completing general education requirements affordably before transferring to complete teaching credentials.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.