Curriculum and Instruction at Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University's Curriculum and Instruction bachelor's produces first-year earnings of just $25,194 against $31,000 in debt—putting graduates nearly $6,000 underwater in their first year. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly, the pattern is concerning: this program ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for both earnings and debt burden, with graduates earning roughly half the national median of $45,004 for education programs.

The state context offers little relief. As the only program of its kind tracked in Georgia, there's no meaningful in-state comparison, but Georgia's education salaries generally lag national averages. That $25,194 first-year salary is particularly troubling for a field that requires professional certification and carries clear salary scales—suggesting graduates may be struggling to secure full-time teaching positions immediately after graduation, or entering as paraprofessionals rather than certified teachers.

For parents, the math here is stark: your child would need nearly half their annual gross income just to pay off this debt, assuming standard repayment terms. Given that Clark Atlanta serves primarily Pell-eligible students (69%), adding this debt burden to an already financially vulnerable population creates serious risk. Before committing, verify whether this program leads to teacher certification, examine job placement rates, and compare against education programs at Georgia's public universities where in-state tuition might reduce the debt load considerably.