Program Analysis
At $41,144/yr, Teacher Education graduates from Appalachian State University land near the $41,412 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 15.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Teacher Education career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Appalachian State University ranks #153 among 679 Teacher Education programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $41,144 to $46,027 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.