Two alternative programs for students seeking secondary school teacher certification were compared for cost effectiveness. The most pronounced difference between individuals majoring in education and non-majors seeking teacher certification while completing degree requirements in their chosen field is the number of required semester hours of professional education coursework. Education majors are required to complete 12 more hours of professional education coursework than are non-majors. Each program requires a minimum of 48 semester hours of teaching field coursework. The cost effectiveness of the 12 semester hours required of education majors was analyzed. An analysis of costs (faculty, materials, equipment, facilities, and services) revealed that, from the college of education's perspective, the certification option was less costly than the program for education majors. An analysis of student teachers' impact on student achievement revealed that education majors achieved a 10 percent higher increase in pupil cognitive attainment. The findings indicated that it costs $73 more per semester per education major to positively effect a 10 percent gain in pupils' cognitive performance. The implications of these findings for program developers are discussed. (JD)