Special Education and Teaching at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State's special education program produces first-year earnings of $42,107—landing below both the state median ($43,221) and national average ($44,139). Among Alabama's 13 programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning six programs produce better outcomes. The University of Alabama graduates earn about $3,500 more in their first year, while Auburn grads make roughly $600 more.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $24,250, graduates carry less burden than typical special education majors nationally ($26,717) or within Alabama ($26,000). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is manageable for a teaching career, translating to loan payments that won't overwhelm an educator's salary. Jacksonville State serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (43%), and keeping debt below state norms matters for first-generation college students entering a service profession.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one or two outliers could skew these numbers significantly. Still, the pattern is clear enough: this program delivers slightly below-average earnings with slightly below-average debt. For families prioritizing affordable access to teaching credentials, particularly if staying local reduces costs further, this represents a reasonable path. For those willing to commute or relocate within Alabama, the flagship in Tuscaloosa offers a stronger earnings trajectory that might justify any additional expense.