Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,139

Est. from national median (170 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

The mainland U.S. earnings estimate of $44,139 for this program looks reassuring on paper, but parents should understand this figure may be wildly misleading for Puerto Rico's reality. The only other special education bachelor's program in PR with actual reported data—University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon—shows first-year earnings of just $9,503, less than a quarter of the national benchmark used here. That's not a small regional adjustment; it's a completely different economic landscape where teacher salaries operate on a fundamentally different scale.

The estimated $27,000 in debt compounds this concern. While a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio appears manageable using mainland figures, if actual earnings follow the Puerto Rico pattern, graduates could face debt nearly three times their first-year salary. Special education teaching is essential work with strong job security in any market, but financial viability depends entirely on local compensation realities. With 83% of students receiving Pell grants, this university serves a population where excessive debt carries serious consequences.

Before committing, parents need actual earnings data from this school's graduates or at minimum from other Catholic universities in Puerto Rico offering education programs. The gap between the national estimate and PR's documented outcomes is too vast to ignore. If the true earnings land anywhere near the state median, this program's financial math doesn't work.

Where Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Stands

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

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
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez	$6,238	$44,139*	—	$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 Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, approximately 83% 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.