Bachelor's · Alpine, Texas

Is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Sul Ross State University worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Graduates typically don't earn back the cost within 20 years, compared with the no-degree baseline.

Earnings 1 year after graduating: $35,021; Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating: Not enough graduates to report; Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation: $17,236; NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families: $69k (likely $69k – $93k); AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4: −$320 a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in TX; 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback: Not within 20 years in most scenarios; Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return: −$250k (likely −$329k – −$179k); Today's dollars
20-year net return: −$254k (likely −$377k – −$106k); Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide): 30%; Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

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🍎 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward teaching & helping people majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

AP Psychology
AP English Language and Composition
AP Statistics

IB Higher Level

Psychology HL
Language A HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.