Special Education and Teaching at College of Charleston

College of Charleston's Special Education program produces graduates earning around $40,000 annually—just below South Carolina's median and notably lower than the national average of $44,139. With only 40th percentile standing statewide, this program trails several SC alternatives, including Coastal Carolina ($42,147) and Winthrop ($40,435). The modest 2% earnings growth over four years suggests limited salary progression in the early career phase, which is fairly typical for teaching roles but worth understanding given the debt burden.

The $24,025 in median debt sits below both state and national benchmarks, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60. That's better than many education programs nationally. For a field where starting salaries are constrained by public school pay scales, graduating with less debt matters significantly. Still, the combination of below-average earnings and limited upward mobility means this degree requires a long-term commitment to the profession to make financial sense.

Keep in mind the small sample size here makes these figures less reliable. If your child is passionate about special education and plans to stay in South Carolina, this program could work—but financially stronger alternatives exist within the state. The lower debt helps, but the earnings gap is real and persistent.