Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Alabama A & M University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,221

Est. from AL median (4 programs)

Median Debt

$27,594

3% above national median

Analysis

Based on comparable programs in Alabama, special education graduates here can expect first-year earnings around $43,200—right at the state median and just below the national benchmark of $44,100. The real standout is the debt figure: at $27,594, it sits in the 21st percentile nationally, meaning most special education programs leave graduates with significantly more to repay. For a field with predictable, educator-level salaries, keeping debt low matters enormously.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 reflects manageable financing for a teaching career. Alabama A & M serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (64% of students receive these need-based grants), and its graduates appear to launch their teaching careers on financial footing comparable to peers at flagship institutions like Alabama and Auburn. Special education positions typically come with stable public school employment and loan forgiveness options that reward teachers who work in high-need districts—benefits that make the debt load here even more reasonable.

The limitation is that these earnings figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than verified outcomes specific to Alabama A & M graduates. Still, special education salaries in Alabama follow relatively standardized state pay scales, which reduces the variance between programs. If your child is committed to teaching special needs students and wants to minimize debt while doing so, this program positions them competitively within Alabama's education job market.

Where Alabama A & M University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (13 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Alabama A & M UniversityNormal	$10,024	$43,221*	—	$27,594	—
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa	$11,900	$45,631*	$45,349	$26,000	0.57
Athens State UniversityAthens	—	$43,668*	—	$29,215	0.67
Auburn UniversityAuburn	$12,536	$42,774*	$45,087	$22,250	0.52
Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville	$12,426	$42,107*	—	$24,250	0.58
National Median	—	$44,139*	—	$26,717	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with special education and teaching graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, All Other

All special education teachers not listed separately.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Alabama A & M University, approximately 64% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.