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Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Cheyney University stands out with the lowest net cost at $9,837 for teacher preparation programs in Pennsylvania, while private institutions like Holy Family University charge over $12,000 despite financial aid. The $27,000 standard debt load across most programs contrasts sharply with varying graduation rates that span from 16% to 73%. Pennsylvania's education sector benefits from the state's major healthcare and technology employers like UPMC and Comcast, which create demand for specialized corporate training professionals and educational technology specialists. Teacher education graduates earn between $25,194 and $39,741, with Indiana University of Pennsylvania leading at the higher end. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 8 of the 10 cheapest programs offered through the state system. The PA State Grant provides important support for in-state students, helping reduce the actual cost burden at public institutions where published tuition often exceeds $10,000.
50
Programs
$9,837 – $27,686
Net Price Range
$32,819
Avg. Program Earnings
58.4%
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 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
2 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
3 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
4 $15,089 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
5 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
6 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
7 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
8 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
9 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
10 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
11 $19,600 $27,804 46.3% 80.0%
12 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
13 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
14 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
15 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
16 $20,822 $34,502 55.2% 92.7%
17 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
18 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
19 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
20 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
21 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
22 $21,664 $28,794 42.2% 84.9%
23 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
24 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
25 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
26 $22,558 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
27 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
28 $22,870 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
29 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
30 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
31 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
32 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
33 $23,553 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
34 $24,051 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
35 $24,791 $38,160 59.6% 82.1%
36 $24,829 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
37 $25,157 $29,460 60.5% 75.6%
38 $25,544 $28,185 71.4% 88.1%
39 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
40 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
41 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
42 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
43 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
44 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
45 $27,141 $38,310 58.5% 58.4%
46 $27,243 $43,300 52.2% 95.4%
47 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
48 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
49 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
50 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between teacher education programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from Cheyney University's 16.20% to Saint Francis University's 72.80%. Public institutions like East Stroudsburg and University of Pittsburgh-Bradford hover around 43-44%, while private colleges generally achieve higher completion rates. The $27,000 average debt load remains consistent across most programs regardless of graduation success. Resource allocation and student support services likely contribute to these substantial differences in program completion.

How do Pennsylvania's teacher education costs compare between public and private institutions?

Public universities offer significantly lower net costs, with Cheyney at $9,837 and East Stroudsburg at $15,089 compared to private options. Holy Family University charges $12,251 net cost despite a $33,968 sticker price, showing substantial financial aid. The 20 programs span from $9,837 to $21,409, with public institutions claiming 11 of the 15 most affordable spots.

Where do teacher education graduates find the highest earning potential?

Indiana University of Pennsylvania leads with $39,741 average earnings, significantly above the state range of $25,194 to $39,741. Millersville University graduates earn $36,308, while University of Pittsburgh system graduates average $26,585 across multiple campuses. The earnings reflect Pennsylvania's education job market, where districts near major employers like UPMC and Comcast often pay premium salaries for specialized teaching roles.

Is the $27,000 debt level standard across Pennsylvania teacher preparation programs?

Most programs report exactly $27,000 in student debt, appearing across 9 different institutions from public universities to private colleges. Millersville University shows slightly lower debt at $25,000, while several schools don't report debt figures at all. This consistent debt level suggests similar borrowing patterns among education majors regardless of institution type or net cost.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in Pennsylvania teacher education?

High acceptance rates dominate the field, with University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg accepting 97.60% of applicants and East Stroudsburg at 93.63%. Saint Francis University maintains the most selective admissions at 73.05% while achieving the highest graduation rate of 72.80%. The correlation between selectivity and outcomes varies, as some highly accessible programs like Slippery Rock achieve 65.90% graduation rates despite accepting 74.33% of applicants.

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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.