Analysis
Similar special education programs in North Carolina typically produce first-year earnings around $42,830, positioning Greensboro College's estimated outcomes right at the state median. That's roughly $1,300 below the national benchmark for this field—a modest gap that reflects North Carolina's below-average teacher compensation rather than anything specific to this program. The estimated $27,000 debt load, derived from comparable small private colleges nationally, exceeds what graduates at NC public universities typically carry by about $2,500 to $5,000.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 falls within manageable territory for a teaching credential, especially in a high-demand field like special education. Programs of this type across North Carolina produce remarkably consistent outcomes—the state's top five programs with reported data all cluster within $2,000 of each other, from $42,600 to $44,200. This narrow range suggests the teaching labor market in North Carolina is standardized enough that your choice of institution may matter less than certification completion and placement.
The uncertainty here is real: without school-specific data, you're looking at what peer programs accomplish, not what this particular program delivers. For a family considering Greensboro College specifically, the question becomes whether their support services, placement assistance, and success rates justify the private college premium over UNC system alternatives that appear to produce similar starting salaries with less debt.
Where Greensboro College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,400 | $42,830* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $7,361 | $44,185* | $41,964 | $26,416* | 0.60 | |
| $7,541 | $43,283* | $42,295 | $25,000* | 0.58 | |
| $7,593 | $42,967* | $39,988 | $24,000* | 0.56 | |
| $7,214 | $42,692* | $41,222 | $26,602* | 0.62 | |
| $7,317 | $42,584* | $42,392 | $19,500* | 0.46 | |
| National Median | — | $44,139* | — | $26,717* | 0.61 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with special education and teaching graduates
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Special Education Teachers, All Other
Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Interpreters and Translators
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
Teaching Assistants, Special Education
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 Greensboro College, approximately 45% 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 6 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.