by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education And Development](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find where teacher education and development graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose teacher education and development graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in teacher education and development, no school beat Northeastern Illinois University this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $63,615 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. Teacher Education And Development graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of about $63,679 a year early in their careers.
John Carroll University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in teacher education and development, landing the #3 spot this year. John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from John Carroll University typically earn about $54,608 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in teacher education and development will find them at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from University Of Illinois At Chicago make a median of around $59,699 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Oakland University earned it the #5 place for teacher education and development. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Oakland University make a median of around $51,899 per year.
Elmhurst College landed the #6 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,102.
Indiana University Southeast placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a public institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,308.
Saint Xavier University earned the #8 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Saint Xavier University typically earn about $56,747 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school located in the town of Menomonie. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from University Of Wisconsin Stout make a median of around $53,835 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #10 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,829.
North Park University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of North Park University earn a median of about $49,609 a year early in their careers.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,250.
Ball State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Ball State University make a median of around $53,195 per year.
Illinois State University landed the #14 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,738.
Depaul University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $55,614 annually.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #16 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,478.
Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,340.
Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $51,809 annually.
Vandercook College Of Music came in at #19 for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Vandercook College Of Music is a private not-for-profit institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of Vandercook College Of Music earn a median of about $55,898 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $50,026 per year.
North Central College came in at #21 for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of North Central College earn a median of about $48,074 a year early in their careers.
Anderson University Indiana earned the #22 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of about $49,663 a year early in their careers.
Muskingum University landed the #23 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a private not-for-profit institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of about $47,262 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Western Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Macomb. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Western Illinois University typically earn about $51,486 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of about $48,600 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid teacher education and development ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries teacher education and development graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 84 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.