Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's teacher education program lands squarely in the middle for Alabama—hitting exactly the state median at $32,093—but trails the national median by over $10,000. For a state where teaching salaries run lower than the national average, this program delivers what you'd expect locally while leaving your child at a significant earnings disadvantage compared to peers graduating from programs in other states.

The numbers tell a split story. That 60th percentile state ranking means UAB outperforms most Alabama teaching programs, and the school sits well above regional competitors like South Alabama ($26,888). But nationally, this lands in just the 13th percentile—bottom tier. The $24,573 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.77 ratio), and the 20% earnings growth to $38,487 by year four suggests steady advancement through Alabama's teacher pay scale. However, compare this to Auburn's teacher education graduates earning $44,897, and the gap is stark.

Here's the calculation: if your child plans to teach in Alabama long-term, UAB prepares them adequately at a reasonable cost. But if they want geographic flexibility or higher earning potential, stronger programs exist both in-state (Auburn) and nationally. Teaching is a calling that rarely leads to wealth, but starting $11,000 behind the national median makes an already challenging financial picture tougher.