Teacher Education at Ferrum College

Ferrum, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,100/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #347 of 348 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 $543K $538K $508K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$153,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,340
42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,774
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,100 place Ferrum College below the $41,690 national median for Teacher Education — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 43% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$29,100 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #347 out of 348 programs, Ferrum College's financial outcomes for Teacher Education trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,100 to $48,774 over five years (68% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Ferrum College

Ferrum College accepts 100% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 745 students in Ferrum, VA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,340 — 42% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Ferrum College →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
View all 30 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Teacher Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ferrum College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ferrum College's Teacher Education program score?
This program scores 32/100 — 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 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Teacher Education earnings lower at Ferrum College?
Lower starting pay at Ferrum College 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 →