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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 reveal sharp cost divides that don't always align with earning potential. While Baylor University commands $41,942 in net costs, graduates earn $48,162 annually, creating a questionable return on investment compared to Sam Houston State University, where $16,025 in costs lead to $36,668 in earnings. The state's massive education system, serving over 5.4 million students across 1,200 districts, creates abundant opportunities for specialized subject area teachers. Texas Christian University achieves an 85.60% graduation rate, the highest among education programs, though its $33,531 net cost raises questions about accessibility. Private institutions dominate the higher-cost spectrum, with net prices ranging from $19,710 to $41,942, while public options like Sam Houston State offer more affordable pathways. The earnings spread of $31,042 to $48,162 reflects varying specialization levels and geographic placement within Texas school districts, where teacher shortages in STEM and special education create premium opportunities for properly trained educators.
40
Programs
$3,061 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$43,227
Avg. Program Earnings
49.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $19,710 $46,087 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
2 $19,988 $46,087 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
3 $16,025 $36,668 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
4 $22,587 $45,500 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
5 $21,031 $41,025 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
6 $23,636 $46,087 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
7 $23,790 $44,356 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
8 $27,401 $44,747 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
9 $28,690 $42,044 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
10 $33,531 $46,924 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
11 $25,255 $31,042 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
12 $41,942 $48,162 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
13 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
14 $19,655 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
15 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
16 $27,468 $51,058 69.3% 44.8%
17 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
18 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
19 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
20 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
21 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
22 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
23 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
24 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
25 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
26 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
27 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
28 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
29 $20,244 $13,498 38.1% 57.3%
30 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
31 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
32 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
33 $25,910 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
34 $25,314 $35,500 61.1% 48.8%
35 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
36 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
37 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
38 $22,456 $20,260 23.9% 50.0%
39 $30,092 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
40 $28,599 $19,290 4.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paid teacher education graduates in Texas?

Graduate earnings range from $31,042 at Howard Payne University to $48,162 at Baylor University, reflecting subject area specialization and placement location. High-demand fields like special education, bilingual education, and STEM subjects command premium salaries in major Texas districts. Urban districts in Houston, Dallas, and Austin typically offer higher starting salaries than rural areas. The $48,162 top earnings likely represent graduates in specialized roles or leadership track positions within large school systems.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Texas teacher education programs?

Texas Christian University achieves an 85.60% graduation rate with a $33,531 net cost, while much cheaper options like Jarvis Christian University show only 15.10% completion rates. Saint Edward's University maintains 64.20% graduation rates at $23,636, suggesting a cost-quality balance. The data reveals that programs under $15,000 net cost struggle with retention, while those above $20,000 generally maintain graduation rates above 48%. This pattern indicates that adequate funding supports student success in teacher preparation programs.

Is the $19,710 net cost at Houston Christian University justified by graduate outcomes?

Houston Christian University graduates earn $46,087 annually while paying $19,710 in net costs, creating a favorable 2.3-to-1 earnings ratio. The 49.80% graduation rate falls below the state average but remains competitive for private institutions. With 84.48% acceptance rates, the program maintains accessible admission standards while delivering strong earning potential. The location advantage in Houston's massive school district system likely contributes to higher graduate placement rates and starting salaries.

Does attending a public university guarantee lower costs for teacher education in Texas?

Sam Houston State University proves this point with $16,025 net costs compared to private schools averaging over $25,000. However, University of North Texas shows $14,352 net costs, making it the most affordable option among major programs. Public universities benefit from state funding and in-state tuition rates, typically resulting in 40-60% lower net costs than private alternatives. The Texas Tomorrow Fund and TEXAS Grant programs further reduce expenses for qualified in-state students pursuing education degrees.

Where do teacher education graduates find the best job prospects in Texas?

Texas employs over 370,000 teachers across 1,200 school districts, creating substantial demand for qualified educators. The Houston Independent School District alone serves 200,000 students, while Dallas and Austin districts each employ thousands of teachers. High-need areas include bilingual education, special education, and STEM subjects, where starting salaries often exceed $50,000 in major metropolitan areas. Rural districts offer loan forgiveness programs and housing incentives to attract teacher education graduates to underserved communities.

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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.