Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Georgia State University

Georgia State's teacher education program ranks near the bottom statewide—10th percentile among 27 Georgia programs—despite serving a primarily low-income student population where success matters most. That first-year salary of $26,967 sits roughly $15,000 below what graduates earn from comparable Georgia schools like Kennesaw State or University of Georgia. Even accounting for Atlanta's higher cost of living, these numbers signal something isn't connecting between degree completion and employment outcomes.

The 51% earnings jump by year four offers some reassurance that graduates do find better-paying teaching positions eventually, reaching $40,799. However, this still trails the state median, and spending those crucial early career years earning substantially less while carrying $28,687 in debt creates real financial strain. With half the student body on Pell grants, many graduates likely lack family safety nets to cushion tight budgets during those lean starting years.

For families considering Georgia teaching programs, look at the alternatives: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduates earn nearly double in their first year, while University of West Georgia and UGA both deliver stronger outcomes with similar debt loads. If Georgia State is appealing for other reasons—perhaps location in Atlanta or specific program offerings—students should plan aggressively for that difficult first year financially and understand they're choosing a rockier path than necessary in a state with better-performing options.