Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Auburn University at Montgomery

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,221

Est. from AL median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,000

Est. from AL median (5 programs)

Analysis

Alabama's special education programs cluster tightly in the low-to-mid $40,000s, and estimates from peer programs place Auburn University at Montgomery's graduates right in the middle of that pack. With first-year earnings around $43,200 and debt near $26,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 falls comfortably in manageable territory—roughly half a year's salary to pay back, which is reasonable for a teaching credential.

The challenge is that special education teaching salaries start modestly and grow slowly. Similar programs across Alabama show minimal variation in outcomes, suggesting that local school district pay scales matter more than where you earn your degree. The $26,000 debt estimate aligns almost exactly with the national median for this field, but it represents a meaningful chunk of a teacher's starting salary. For students who can minimize borrowing through scholarships or family support, this program looks like a straightforward path into a high-demand field.

The real question is whether your child is committed to teaching in Alabama public schools—if so, the numbers work. If they're uncertain about the career path or hoping for geographic flexibility to higher-paying states, that $26,000 in debt becomes harder to justify on a teacher's starting salary. Special education teachers are needed everywhere, but compensation varies dramatically by state.

Where Auburn University at Montgomery 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
Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery	$9,436	$43,221*	—	$26,000*	—
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 Auburn University at Montgomery, approximately 43% 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.