Subject-Area Teaching at Rockford University

Rockford, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,892/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #346 of 348 Teacher Education programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $490K $490K $470K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$149,200
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,264
38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,750
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,315
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,892 per year, Subject-Area Teaching graduates from Rockford University earn below the $41,690 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 3.3x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $30,750 debt-to-$31,892 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #346 out of 348 programs, Rockford University's financial outcomes for Subject-Area Teaching trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $31,892 to $45,315 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Rockford University

Rockford University accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 956 students in Rockford, IL. Pell Grant recipients make up 42% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $92,264 over four years represents a 38% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Rockford University →

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

Subject-Area Teaching at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rockford University

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 Rockford University's Subject-Area Teaching program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Subject-Area Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Subject-Area Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Subject-Area Teaching 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 Subject-Area Teaching earnings lower at Rockford University?
Lower starting pay at Rockford University 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 →