Teacher Education at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Certificate · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

With 90% of applicants admitted, Central Washington University prioritizes broad access, serving 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

Program Analysis

At $50,340 per year, Teacher Education graduates from Central Washington University significantly outpace the $25,977 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 68.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 30% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Teacher Education graduates.

The median debt load of $19,972 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #4 out of 129 programs, Central Washington University's Teacher Education program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $50,340 to $61,893 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Teacher Education, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $50,340/yr (94% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$642K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
69.9x
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)
$9,192
Out-of-state: $26,771
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,972
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,893
23% 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

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central Washington University's Teacher Education program score?
A score of 78/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Central Washington University's Teacher Education graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Teacher Education careers?
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.
Why does Central Washington University rank so high for Teacher Education?
The #4 ranking out of 129 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Teacher Education through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Teacher Education occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Teacher Education workers?
The career paths mapped to Teacher Education have roughly 412,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →