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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Teacher education programs in Texas show striking cost differences, with Texas A&M International University charging just $3,061 net while the University of Dallas reaches $25,470. These programs prepare educators for a state that employs over 350,000 teachers across more than 1,200 school districts. Graduates from Our Lady of the Lake University earn the highest median salary at $46,673, significantly above the $22,771 starting point at Texas College. The earnings gap of nearly $24,000 between programs reflects varying specializations and regional demand. Texas schools face ongoing teacher shortages, particularly in special education and bilingual instruction, creating strong job prospects for program graduates. Private institutions dominate this field, with 14 of the 15 schools being nonprofit colleges that often provide smaller class sizes and specialized training. Graduation rates range from 10.7% to 68%, indicating substantial differences in program completion success across institutions.
43
Programs
$3,061 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$39,564
Avg. Program Earnings
43.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

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

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,061 $46,087 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $17,760 $46,673 $31,728 42.4%
3 $10,650 $22,771 $10,008 10.7%
4 $20,498 $41,565 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
5 $22,240 $43,290 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
6 $22,587 $43,054 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
7 $21,031 $37,424 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
8 $19,988 $34,603 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
9 $27,401 $42,905 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
10 $30,092 $45,584 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
11 $28,690 $43,319 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
12 $23,790 $35,060 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
13 $25,470 $35,060 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
14 $25,910 $35,559 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
15 $25,314 $34,603 $35,500 61.1% 48.8%
16 $33,531 $45,383 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
17 $25,255 $33,993 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
18 $41,942 $45,227 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
19 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
20 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
21 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
22 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
23 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
24 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
25 $12,929 $14,310 57.1% 100.0%
26 $17,950 $12,836 27.0%
27 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
28 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
29 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
30 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
31 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
32 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
33 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
34 $20,244 $13,498 38.1% 57.3%
35 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
36 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
37 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
38 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
39 $4,146 $2,370 35.5%
40 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
41 $22,456 $20,260 23.9% 50.0%
42 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
43 $28,599 $19,290 4.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $22,000 difference between the lowest and highest net costs?

Texas A&M International University offers the lowest net cost at $3,061 as a public institution, while private colleges like University of Dallas charge $25,470. Public funding allows state schools to keep costs down significantly. Private institutions typically provide more individualized attention and specialized resources but at higher prices. The 14 private schools in this ranking average around $23,000 in net costs.

How do graduation rates vary among these teacher education programs?

Graduation rates span from 10.7% at Texas College to 68% at University of Dallas, showing major differences in student success. Schools with rates above 60% include University of Dallas and LeTourneau University, both charging over $25,000 annually. The average graduation rate across all programs sits around 48%. Higher-cost private institutions generally show better completion rates than lower-cost alternatives.

Does geographic location affect earning potential for graduates?

San Antonio programs show the strongest earnings, with Our Lady of the Lake University graduates earning $46,673 and University of the Incarnate Word graduates earning $41,565. Abilene has three programs but lower average earnings around $38,000. Texas A&M International in Laredo offers the best value combination with $3,061 costs and $46,087 earnings. Urban areas typically provide higher teacher salaries due to cost of living and demand.

What student debt levels should graduates expect from these programs?

Available debt data shows median levels between $21,833 and $30,500 for private institutions. McMurry University reports the lowest debt at $21,833 despite charging $19,988 in net costs. LeTourneau University carries the highest debt load at $30,500. Public institutions like Texas A&M International typically generate less student debt due to lower overall costs and state funding support.

Is acceptance rate connected to program quality in teacher education?

Acceptance rates range from 47.88% at Texas A&M International to 95.67% at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, showing varying selectivity. More selective programs like LeTourneau University (48.83% acceptance) and University of Dallas (58.70%) tend to have higher graduation rates. However, high acceptance rates don't always indicate lower quality, as many programs aim to address teacher shortages. Dallas Baptist University combines 91.37% acceptance with strong 60.40% graduation rates.

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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.