Teacher Education at Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

with a mid-sized student body of 7,347 in Amarillo, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,997/yr fall 31% below the $25,977 national median for Teacher Education. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 69.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Teacher Education programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 30% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Teacher Education graduates.

Median debt of $16,000 represents roughly 11 months of the $17,997 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #44 of 129 Teacher Education programs, Amarillo College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,076 show a 150% jump from the $17,997 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Teacher Education offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $17,997/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$316K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
73.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
11 of 11
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,272
Out-of-state: $9,408
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,076
150% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Teacher Education graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090 +2.1% 51%
Training and development specialists $65,850 +10.8% 45%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Education teachers, postsecondary
$72,090
+2.1% growth 51% AI-proof
Training and development specialists
$65,850
+10.8% growth 45% AI-proof

View all 11 career paths with full salary data →

About Teacher Education Careers

Your journey will likely begin in the classroom, where your days are a dynamic mix of planning and direct interaction. As an elementary teacher, you might use a smartboard to lead a math lesson, then transition to guiding small reading groups. In a secondary school, you’ll focus on your subject specialty, preparing students for exams, managing online assignments through a learning management system, and communicating with parents.

Read the full Teacher Education career guide →

Compare & Explore

Teacher Education Overview

Teacher Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Amarillo College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Teacher Education at Amarillo College?
At 61/100, Amarillo College's Teacher Education program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Teacher Education careers?
With 30% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $188,288 in decade earnings vs $315,825 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Teacher Education earnings lower at Amarillo College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Amarillo College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Teacher Education?
Teacher Education connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Teacher Education graduates?
With approximately 412,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Teacher Education offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →