Is a Teaching Degree Worth the Debt in 2026? Pros & Cons

1. Impact on the Next Generation

The impact you can have on the next generation of workers, leaders, and members of the public is substantial as a teacher. When teaching students, you can help them find what they are passionate about and mentor them to reach their goals. Doing this can be incredibly fulfilling and encourage positive impacts on your local and national communities.

2. Career Stability

Teachers are generally highly sought-after, and there are often too few teachers in any one area than too many. Combine this with the profession's safety from AI advancements replacing certain jobs and the need for teachers to always be working face-to-face with students to teach, and you get a career with a lot of stability.

3. Loan Forgiveness Programs and Repayment Plans

In order to encourage more teachers to join the workforce, states typically have certain loan forgiveness programs in place that can forgive some—or all—of the debt of college graduates. If your debt is not forgiven, you may be eligible for teacher repayment programs, which help to keep interest to a minimum and lower your overall student debt burden.

4. Earning Potential With a Master's Degree

A teacher's starting salary tends to be on the lower end of $40,000 annually, but obtaining a master's degree or other specific teaching certifications can significantly boost your earning potential according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Teachers who attend graduate school and earn a master's degree make an average salary of $70,000 annually.

5. Work-Life Balance

Teachers tend to be able to find a good work-life balance, as the majority of their job takes place during typical working and business hours. While teachers do have to put in work such as grading and lesson planning outside of this time, they have the flexibility to complete this work whenever, even during breaks throughout their day. Teachers also have weekends off and school holidays off, save for any administrative work days.

Using Federal Student Loans for a Teaching Degree

Federal student loans can be used to help you obtain a teaching degree. The first step in this process is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will determine your eligibility for different types of federal loans—there are three types of federal loans with varying interest rates and repayment terms available for undergraduate students.

Once you have seen which federal student loans you might qualify for, you can read the details about each loan and see how much money you can take out each year. After signing the loan terms, loan payments will be disbursed to you. You must complete your FAFSA every year to continue receiving financial aid and ensure your eligibility is up to date.

Repayment Process

Repayment for federal student loans starts between six and nine months after your graduation, depending on the type of loan you take out. Interest rates for federal student loans are fixed, and this rate does change yearly.

If you have a direct subsidized loan, the federal government pays the interest on this loan while you are completing your degree. You will need to start making student loan payments after graduation, including interest. Student loan repayment for direct unsubsidized loans also starts after graduation, but the government does not pay interest on these loans; interest adds up while you complete your degree.

If you have a direct PLUS loan, this is an unsubsidized, credit-based federal loan available for parents of dependent students or graduate students. Interest is charged during the loan's entire term until a borrower completes repayment.

How To Reduce Student Loan Debt

As you consider getting a teaching certificate, you might be wondering how to reduce student loan debt to obtain your degree without worry. There are fortunately plenty of ways to pay for your teaching degree through state-level workforce programs, discounted tuition programs, and private or federal grant and loan options. We give you more details on reducing student loan debt below.

Submit the FAFSA for Pell Grant Eligibility

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal student aid, such as federal loans and grants. The Pell Grant is one of the most important federal grants you might be eligible for, and you can receive up to $7,000 per academic year that does not need to be repaid with the Pell Grant.

Eligibility for the Pell Grant is based on your household's income level. You must not have a bachelor's degree already to qualify for this program, and your suitability for this grant will automatically be calculated once you submit your FAFSA through the Student Aid government website.

Apply for Scholarships

Applying for scholarships is a great way to reduce the overall cost of your degree and your potential amount of debt. We recommend searching for scholarships that are exclusive to teaching students. You'll likely find plenty of state-level and national scholarships that encourage you to take up this profession and offer one-time or annual sums of money to help you afford your degree.

Popular scholarships and grants for teaching students include:

• Federal TEACH grants for eligible students enrolled in certain teaching degree programs
• In-state workforce and first-year teaching development programs
• Coca-Cola Foundation Scholars Program Scholarship
• Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Look Into Transfer Credits, CLEP, and AP Credits

A great way to decrease the overall cost of your teaching degree is to utilize AP credits, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and transfer credits. The use of any of these can help you reduce how many general education credits are required during your teaching degree program, lowering your overall cost of completing the program.

High school students can take AP classes in high school and take AP tests to earn college credit; this is free or low-cost for most students. Any high school student, adult learner, professional, or non-traditional student can also take a CLEP exam to earn college credits for prior knowledge. You can then put your CLEP credits towards your teaching degree.

Finally, transfer credits can come in handy if you start your higher education at a community college. Community college programs are generally cheaper, and they may even be free in some states. College students can complete the basic requirements for a teaching degree at low cost or no cost and then transfer the credits to a four-year school to finish their degree without spending a lot of money.

FAQs About Student Loan Debt for Teaching

There are both pros and cons of being a teacher, and it's important to keep these in mind when considering student loan debt for teaching. We answer your most frequently asked questions about teaching careers below.

Is Teaching a Good Career?

Teaching full-time can be a difficult career, but it can also be very rewarding and fulfilling for individuals who choose to pursue it. However, teaching is generally a solid and stable career choice. Locations throughout the United States are almost always looking for qualified and dedicated teachers, and this career field is generally safe from the growing use of AI technologies in the job market. Additionally, experienced teachers and teachers who continue their education, such as earning a master's degree, have the opportunity to increase their annual salary.

Is Being an Elementary School Teacher Worth It?

Elementary school teachers must be good with children, experienced at lesson planning and controlling the classroom, and prepared to keep an eye on their classroom charges as they teach. Being an elementary school teacher can be worth it for those who love working closely with children, teaching fundamental skills that will last young students through life, and making an impact in the educational field. The more experience you have as an elementary school teacher, either in public school or private school, the higher your teacher pay might be, making this profession worth it.

Is Being a High School Teacher Worth It?

For teachers who prefer teaching a more mature group of students or those who want to specialize in a specific subject, such as math, being a high school teacher can be very worth it. High school students tend to need less hands-on guidance throughout the day, though classroom management is still a big part of this profession as you guide students to a high school diploma. Teachers who prefer to work with higher-level concepts and subjects will likely enjoy being a high school teacher more, and average salaries for high school teachers is around $60,000 annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees in Education Today

A four-year degree in education, such as an online bachelor's degree program, is the first step on your path to becoming a teacher. Check out Learn.org for more information on which colleges offer online bachelor's degrees in education that might suit your professional needs.