Special Education and Teaching (Post-baccalaureate Certificate) at University of Arkansas

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,264

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,941

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 tells you the essential story here: this post-baccalaureate certificate would require graduates to carry roughly five months' salary in debt to enter special education teaching. Since comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,000, that positions certificate-holders squarely in the middle of the teacher pay scale—neither exceptionally high nor worryingly low for the profession. The debt load, while not negligible, falls well below the concerning thresholds that make teaching careers financially untenable.

What matters most for your family is whether this certificate provides the fastest, most cost-effective route to special education certification in Arkansas. Post-bac programs like this typically serve career-changers or those with degrees in other fields who want teaching credentials without completing a full master's program. If that describes your child's situation, peer programs suggest this path delivers classroom-ready credentials at a manageable cost. However, if they're starting from scratch or considering graduate school anyway, a traditional master's in special education might offer better value—potentially similar earnings with more career flexibility, though likely at higher cost.

The practical question is timing and career urgency. This certificate appears designed to get qualified teachers into Arkansas classrooms quickly, addressing the state's chronic special education shortage. If immediate employment and certification are the goals, the estimated debt burden seems proportional to the outcomes.

Where University of Arkansas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching postbacc-cert's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Special Education and Teaching postbacc-cert's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of ArkansasFayetteville	$9,748	$56,264*	—	$23,941*	—
University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu	$12,186	$68,261*	$65,885	$28,000*	0.41
University of GeorgiaAthens	$11,180	$60,817*	—	$19,500*	0.32
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green	$14,081	$56,625*	$54,976	$25,625*	0.45
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati	$13,570	$55,902*	—	$23,941*	0.43
Pima Community CollegeTucson	$2,370	$46,052*	—	$15,200*	0.33
National Median	—	$56,264*	—	$23,941*	0.43

* 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 University of Arkansas, approximately 17% 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 6 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.