Education, General: is this first professional degree worth it?
National picture across 2 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$83,429 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$83,429Median year-4 earnings
$30,675Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$83,429Median reported earnings · year 4
$81,995Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
44thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
2With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $58,162
- Federal debt
- $14,250
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,127
- Federal debt
- $11,025
- Reporting programs
- 34
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $49,250
- Federal debt
- $26,525
- Reporting programs
- 88
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,429
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $63,909
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 217
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $95,543
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 36
First Professional Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $83,429
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,300
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 8
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $62,656
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 12
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$56,333National median$83,42975th percentile$56,333
2 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 2 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
2 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Northeastern University$110,5242University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus$56,333Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Education Teachers, Postsecondary$75,350 median wage60,830 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1081+2.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$39,530–$126,860 10th–90th percentileTeaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 25-9042Teaching Assistants, Special EducationUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 25-9043
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern UniversityFirst Professional Degree | Boston, MA | $110,524 | Not available | Baseline needed | $30,915 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusFirst Professional Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $56,333 | Not available | Baseline needed | $30,434 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.