Special Education and Teaching (Post-baccalaureate Certificate) at Augusta University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,264

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,941

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

At $23,941 in estimated debt for a post-baccalaureate certificate, this program carries a significant financial burden for what's essentially a credential-stacking opportunity. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,264, which is respectable for teaching but creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43—higher than ideal for a second degree. For context, University of Georgia's special education certificate graduates earn slightly more ($60,817) with considerably less debt ($19,500), suggesting Augusta's cost structure may be steep relative to in-state alternatives.

The challenge here is that teachers with special education credentials do benefit from salary bumps and hiring advantages, but those gains need to outpace the additional debt load. Based on comparable programs, you're looking at roughly $270 in monthly loan payments over ten years, which represents a meaningful chunk of a teacher's take-home pay. Georgia's teacher salary schedules do reward additional credentials, but whether that premium justifies nearly $24,000 in new debt depends heavily on your child's current salary and district pay structure.

If your child already has teaching experience and qualifies for loan forgiveness programs, this could make sense as a career advancement move. But if they're newer to teaching or uncertain about staying in the field long-term, the estimated debt load presents real financial risk for what peer programs suggest is a modest earnings boost.

Where Augusta University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching postbacc-cert's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Special Education and Teaching postbacc-cert's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (2 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Augusta UniversityAugusta	$8,122	$56,264*	—	$23,941*	—
University of GeorgiaAthens	$11,180	$60,817*	—	$19,500*	0.32
National Median	—	$56,264*	—	$23,941*	0.43

* 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 Augusta University, approximately 38% 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 national median of 6 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.