Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Caribbean University-Bayamon

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,139

Est. from national median (170 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Caribbean University-Bayamon's special education program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—five times higher than the $5,250 typical of other Puerto Rico programs in this field. This debt load becomes particularly significant when you consider the local teaching market: the only comparable PR program with reported data shows graduates earning $9,503 in their first year, not the $44,139 national figure used here as a stand-in. That national benchmark reflects mainland teaching salaries that simply don't translate to Puerto Rico's economy, where educators face fundamentally different compensation structures.

The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but it assumes mainland earnings that graduates teaching in Puerto Rico are unlikely to see. If actual outcomes mirror other island programs, graduates could face debt burdens six times their annual income. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, this community is already navigating financial constraints—taking on debt priced for national markets while entering a local one presents real risk. Before committing, your family needs a frank conversation with the school about where their recent graduates actually work and what they're earning, because the gap between these estimated figures and Puerto Rico's teaching reality could reshape this investment entirely.

Where Caribbean University-Bayamon Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Puerto Rico

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Puerto Rico (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Caribbean University-BayamonBayamon	$5,966	$44,139*	—	$27,000*	—
University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBayamon	$6,284	$9,503*	$20,682	$5,250*	0.55
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 Caribbean University-Bayamon, approximately 75% 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 170 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.