Teacher Education at Kent State University at Salem

Salem, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

a compact campus enrolling 1,127 students in Salem, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $18,576 place Kent State University at Salem below the $25,977 national median for Teacher Education — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 20.8x 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 $14,884 represents roughly 10 months of the $18,576 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #115 of 129 Teacher Education programs, Kent State University at Salem falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $28,922 show a 56% jump from the $18,576 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.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $18,576/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (412,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$321K
11.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.1x
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)
$14,544
Out-of-state: $33,488
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,884
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,922
56% 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 Kent State University at Salem

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Teacher Education at Kent State University at Salem?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Teacher Education programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Teacher Education?
With 30% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $194,346 in decade earnings vs $321,357 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Kent State University at Salem a good choice for Teacher Education despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Kent State University at Salem's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Teacher Education graduates?
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.
Is there demand for Teacher Education workers?
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 →