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Teacher Education at Pierce College District

Lakewood, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
73
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,849/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk High (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)
ROI 31.9x earnings multiple (28.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 679 Teacher Education programs Top 1%

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 $605K $598K $567K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 32.3x 31.9x 30.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 29.0x 28.7x 27.2x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 72% 62%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 73 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,744
Out-of-state: $20,844 (28.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,492
-116% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $55,849 per year, Teacher Education graduates from Pierce College District significantly outpace the $41,412 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 31.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% 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 $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Among 679 Teacher Education programs nationally, Pierce College District ranks #9 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

About Pierce College District

a compact campus enrolling 4,487 students in Lakewood, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Pierce College District →

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

Compare this program → View all 679 schools offering Teacher Education →

Teacher Education at Other Schools

University of Illinois Chicago ($60,917) Stockton University ($59,371) Monroe College ($58,194) Pacific Lutheran University ($57,624) Rider University ($57,145) Seton Hall University ($56,300) The College of New Jersey ($56,231) Texas Christian University ($55,814)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Teacher Education trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at Pierce College District?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education at Pierce College District?
The 30% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Pierce College District one of the best schools for Teacher Education?
Among 679 Teacher Education programs, Pierce College District's #9 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →