Do you get paid more if you graduate with a bachelor's degree from an Ivy League college?

Question

I plan on becoming a math teacher for high school students and I wanted to know if you get paid more if you do your undergrad at an Ivy League school. I do intend on going for my master's as well, but maybe not right away. So would it be more advisable to get my undergrad from a decent school and go for my master's or try to go to an Ivy League school?

Answer 1

A report in the Wall Street Journal basically confirms the fact that people who go to an Ivy League school do indeed earn more.  Of course what remains unanswered is why...is it the quality of the education, the alumni network or would these kids have earned more simply because the student population at these schools is comprised of some of the brightest young minds in the country?    

Answer 2

While graduating from an IVY League school can enhance your earning potential, it is not a guarantee. There are several draws to IVY League schools and one of which is a very well established alumni pool which can lead to better job opportunities. The education is top notch and the facilities are timeless. But I urge you to not get hung up on the hype. If you would like to attend an IVY League school go for it, but if you choose not to, there are thousands of people who have made great lives for themselves through other channels. Either way it is great to consider higher education. Good luck.

Answer 3

Graduating from an ivy league school may get you an interview to a higher-paying school district; however, once you are in the district you are subject to the same salary schedule as all other teachers.  It's based upon your years of experience and your level of education (i.e. BA, MA, MA+15, MA+30, PhD).  So in one sense all teachers who are hired within a district of the same educational background (ivy or not) receive the same pay.  On the other hand, a resume from an ivy league school looks good. You can still get a great education and job in education if you do not attend an ivy league school if money is a consideration...Good luck.

Answer 4

for a job in the financial sector, or becomeing a lawyer, then going to an ivy league school will garentee you a higher pay.

For something like teaching esp for highschool.  going to an ivy league school will not get you any high pay for the fact that going to an ivy league school will not make your teach highschool any better.  whether you went to harvard or comunity college a high school kid will learn alg 1-2 , trig and geometry.  And those classes do not require anything special to teach.  Also a HS teacher is a union job so you are going to get paid the amount that falls into the bracket for the district you teach in.  So you ivy league degree may make it so you are getting paid in the top of the bracket and not the bottom.  the variance between those two pays isn't going to be some drastic amount.

Answer 5

if that's what you want to do, then go for it.  but as a teacher, you will not get more pay based on what school you went to.  you will get more pay based on how much education you have, it doesn't matter where you get it from ( as long as its an accredited school with an approved program)

Answer 6

I believe you might.

Answer 7

Yes, studies do show that students that graduate from an ivy league school do get paid more.... but there are other things you need to consider.

1st... Teachers are usually contracted under labor unions.  Your salary is pretty much set in stone before you even apply.  The name on your degree is irrelevant.  Unless you get hired at a prestigious boarding school, your ivy league education isn't going to get you a salary increase

2nd... Ivy league grads may get paid more, but at $35,000 per year is it worth it.  A 4 year degree is going to cost you $140,000.  A state college will cost about $100,000 less.  Teachers are not known to be well paid.  If you do get paid more, it would only be a few thousand dollars per years moe.  If you recieved $5,000 more per year salary than a non-Ivy leaguer it would take you 20 years to make up that $100,000 and break even.

If you were going into a more prestigious field than secondary education than it would probably be a differnt answer, but an Ivy league college probably isn't the best idea for a high school teacher.