by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education And Development](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a teacher education and development degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 24 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. Northeastern Illinois University is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Northeastern Illinois University make a median of around $77,423 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for teacher education and development. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of about $59,699 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale produces some of the highest-paid graduates in teacher education and development, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $62,740 annually.
A rank of #4 makes National Louis University one of the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University 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 $72,424.
A rank of #5 makes Elmhurst College one of the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Elmhurst College typically earn about $58,102 annually.
Saint Xavier University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Saint Xavier University make a median of around $56,747 per year.
North Park University landed the #7 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Located 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.
Depaul University landed the #8 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $63,253 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Teacher Education And Development graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $58,966 a year early in their careers.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #10 for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Concordia University Chicago make a median of around $64,584 per year.
Northern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $59,830 per year.
Vandercook College Of Music placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Located in the city of Chicago, Vandercook College Of Music 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 $55,898.
Illinois State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,738.
North Central College earned the #14 position 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. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from North Central College typically earn about $48,074 annually.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #15 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, teacher education and development degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University typically earn about $60,176 annually.
University Of St Francis landed the #16 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,586.
Western Illinois University landed the #17 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Western Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Macomb. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Western Illinois University make a median of around $56,755 per year.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #18 spot for teacher education and development salaries this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Augustana College Illinois make a median of around $48,710 per year.
Millikin University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Millikin University make a median of around $49,259 per year.
Bradley University earned the #20 position for teacher education and development graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Bradley University make a median of around $50,604 per year.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago make a median of around $56,302 per year.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career teacher education and development graduates from Eastern Illinois University make a median of around $53,628 per year.
Trinity Christian College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying teacher education and development schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian 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 $44,538.
Illinois Wesleyan University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for teacher education and development. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Students who complete the teacher education and development program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,737.
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 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.