Teacher Education at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
46
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,293/yr (-46% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #489 of 679 Teacher Education programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Teacher Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $682K $670K $630K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.4x 15.1x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 46 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,340
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,410
144% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Teacher Education graduates start at $22,293/yr, trailing the $41,412 national average by 46%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 15.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 30% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,340 debt-to-$22,293 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #489 out of 679 programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's financial outcomes for Teacher Education trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,293 to $54,410 over five years (144% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Admission to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is competitive, with 30% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 21,521 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090/yr
Training and development specialists $65,850/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Teacher Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Teacher Education program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Teacher Education. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Teacher Education to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Teacher Education careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 30% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Teacher Education earnings lower at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
Lower starting pay at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →