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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,322

Est. from SC median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Special education teachers are essential to South Carolina schools, but the financial picture here requires careful consideration. Drawing from data on five comparable programs in the state, first-year earnings hover around $40,300—slightly below the national median of $44,100 for special education bachelor's degree holders. Combined with an estimated $27,000 in debt, this produces a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio that sits just at the edge of comfortable territory.

What makes this situation more challenging is Claflin's student population: nearly three-quarters receive Pell grants, meaning many families are already navigating tight finances. While special education offers stable employment and meaningful work—South Carolina faces persistent teacher shortages—the starting salary needs to support loan repayment from day one. Programs at Coastal Carolina and Winthrop show slightly higher earnings for special education graduates in the state, though the differences are modest.

The pathway forward depends on minimizing debt wherever possible. If your child can keep borrowing well below the $27,000 estimate through scholarships, work-study, or family support, special education becomes more viable. But at the full estimated debt load on this salary trajectory, monthly loan payments will claim a significant share of take-home pay. Before committing, compare Claflin's actual financial aid package against in-state alternatives where graduate outcomes are more clearly documented.

Where Claflin University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (16 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Claflin UniversityOrangeburg	$17,046	$40,322*	—	$27,000*	—
Coastal Carolina UniversityConway	$11,640	$42,147*	$39,178	$27,000*	0.64
Winthrop UniversityRock Hill	$15,956	$40,435*	—	$26,717*	0.66
University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg	$11,583	$40,322*	—	$26,750*	0.66
Anderson UniversityAnderson	$33,580	$40,264*	—	—*	—
College of CharlestonCharleston	$12,978	$39,832*	$40,564	$24,025*	0.60
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 Claflin University, approximately 73% 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 5 similar programs in SC. Actual outcomes may vary.