Science Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips students with the advanced knowledge and pedagogical expertise needed to teach science across diverse academic settings. It emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of core scientific disciplines, preparing graduates to inspire and guide learners in both classroom and laboratory environments.
- Biology: Explores the structure, function, growth, evolution, and distribution of living organisms, providing foundational knowledge for teaching life sciences.
- Chemistry: Focuses on the composition, properties, and reactions of matter, enabling educators to deliver rigorous instruction in chemical principles and laboratory practices.
- Physics: Investigates matter, energy, motion, and forces, fostering a deep conceptual grasp essential for teaching the laws governing the physical universe.
- Earth and Space Science: Examines the systems and processes shaping the planet, atmosphere, and cosmos, supporting instruction in environmental and astronomical topics.
- Scientific Inquiry and Methodology: Develops skills in designing experiments, analyzing data, and applying the scientific method to real-world problems.
- Educational Pedagogy and Curriculum Development: Integrates teaching strategies, assessment techniques, and standards-based lesson planning tailored to science education at K–12 levels.
Science Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Science Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Science Teacher Education degrees, including Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,867,850 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1043 | $100,830 | $58,670 - $154,630 | 1,310 | N/A |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1054 | $97,360 | $54,880 - $169,740 | 13,590 | N/A |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1053 | $87,710 | $50,670 - $164,290 | 7,130 | N/A |
| Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1041 | $86,350 | $49,080 - $160,870 | 8,700 | N/A |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1052 | $86,220 | $52,870 - $171,600 | 20,390 | N/A |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Science Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,972 in Florida to $111,774 in California—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Michigan, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,867,850 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Science Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Science Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Science Teacher Education is found at Western Governors University (WGU) (232 graduates), Montana State University (MSU) (36 graduates), East Carolina University (ECU) (26 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (24 graduates), and Hamline University (23 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 935 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
232 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
36 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Hamline University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
23 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Master's
Other Award
|
20 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
18 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
16 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
|
13 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Master's
|
13 | Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
13 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
|
12 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Master's
|
10 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
9 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) |
Master's
|
9 | Socorro, New Mexico | Public | nmt.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
9 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
8 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
7 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
7 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Master's
|
7 | Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| Martin Luther College (MLC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | New Ulm, Minnesota | Private | mlc-wels.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Master's
|
7 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
7 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
6 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Master's
|
6 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
|
6 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Ashland University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ashland, Ohio | Private | ashland.edu |
| Wilkes University |
Master's
|
6 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | wilkes.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Master's
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
5 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Cambridge College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | cambridgecollege.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| CUNY Lehman College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Bronx, New York | Public | lehman.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
| Truman State University |
Master's
|
4 | Kirksville, Missouri | Public | truman.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Belcourt, North Dakota | Private | tm.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Master's
|
4 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| University of Lynchburg |
Master's
|
4 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | lynchburg.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Master's
|
4 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Lesley University |
Master's
|
3 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | lesley.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Rider University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Master's
|
3 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Odessa College |
Associate's
|
3 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| Wayland Baptist University (WBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Plainview, Texas | Private | wbu.edu |
| Walden University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | waldenu.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Morningside University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| University of Maine (UMF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Farmington, Maine | Public | umf.maine.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Science Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Science Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Science Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $101,390 annually, while Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $100,830. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $111,774 compared to $61,972 in Florida. Approximately 1,867,850 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Science Teacher Education programs?
Currently 163 accredited institutions offer Science Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Western Governors University (WGU) (232 graduates), Montana State University (MSU) (36 graduates), and East Carolina University (ECU) (26 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Science Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,863 in 2010 to a peak of 1,247 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,022 in 2023-24. This represents a 45% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Science Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and Physics Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 1,867,850 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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