Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,139

Est. from national median (170 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Something unusual happens at Inter American's Arecibo campus that demands explanation: graduates report earning $24,616 four years after completing this program, yet comparable special education programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $44,139. This dramatic earnings drop—rather than the typical career progression—raises serious questions about whether graduates are finding work in their field or facing unique local market conditions.

The estimated $27,000 in debt appears manageable against national figures for similar programs, but context matters enormously here. Puerto Rico's special education sector operates differently than the mainland's: the single PR program with reported data shows median earnings of just $9,503, with typical debt of $5,250. If this program's outcomes align more with island realities than national estimates suggest, that debt burden becomes far more significant. Special education teachers in Puerto Rico face a fundamentally different economic landscape.

The core issue is uncertainty. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, these are families who can't afford surprises. Before committing, you need clarity on what's actually happening to this program's graduates—are they teaching in Puerto Rico at local salary scales, leaving the island for mainland positions, or struggling to find work in their field at all? The four-year earnings figure suggests outcomes aren't matching national patterns, and without knowing why, it's impossible to assess whether this represents a solid investment or a costly mismatch.

Where Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo	—	$24,616	—
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	$51,922	$61,326	+18%
Western Washington University	$52,912	$58,469	+11%
Florida International University	$36,598	$57,130	+56%
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon	$9,503	$20,682	+118%

Compare to Similar Programs in Puerto Rico

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Puerto Rico (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-AreciboArecibo	$5,580	$44,139*	$24,616	$27,000*	—
University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBayamon	$6,284	$9,503*	$20,682	$5,250*	0.55
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 Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, approximately 81% 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 national median of 170 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.