Teacher Education, Specific Levels and Methods at Clemson University
SC · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 13.12
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Teacher Education, Specific Levels and Methods degree from Clemson University earn a median salary of $50,978 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in SC, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $53,548. The degree typically pays for itself in 11.6 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$45,298
Typical Career
$50,978
Top Performers
$57,300
Estimated break-even: 11.6 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$340
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,248. Most students can comfortably afford about a $340 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.3x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.7x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in South Carolina buys what costs $0.95 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$53,548
Nominal: $50,978 in South Carolina (COL 95.2% of national avg) · 5% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $34,537 | $43,033 | $48,113 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $45,298 | $50,978 | $57,300 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $49,855 | $58,221 | $68,191 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $50,978 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in SC, which has a cost-of-living index of 95.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $50,978 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9520)
= $53,548 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
In terms of career opportunities, graduates primarily enter industries such as Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (18.4%), Health Care & Social Assistance (13.3%), and Educational Services (12.8%). The estimated break-even point for choosing this educational path over a high-school-only route is approximately 11.6 years, suggesting that while the initial financial return may be lower, the long-term benefits and job stability in these sectors can provide a favorable return on investment for those committed to the teaching profession.
Compare with Another School
See how the Teacher Education, Specific Levels and Methods degree at Clemson University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.
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