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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,264

Est. from national median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,941

Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

A $24,000 debt burden for a post-baccalaureate certificate is a significant investment, particularly when similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $56,000. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means graduates would owe roughly five months' salary—manageable on paper, but worth examining closely given that these figures come from comparable programs rather than UCF's actual outcomes. Special education certification programs serve a specific purpose: they enable career changers or recent graduates to enter teaching without a full master's degree. The question is whether this particular credential path justifies nearly $24,000 in debt when alternative routes to certification might exist.

Florida offers limited options for this specific credential—only two schools statewide offer post-baccalaureate certificates in special education—which suggests UCF may be filling a genuine market need. However, teaching salaries in Florida vary considerably by district, and first-year special education teachers don't always command premium pay despite the field's chronic shortages. If your child already holds a bachelor's degree and is committed to special education, verify whether UCF's program leads directly to full certification and whether local school districts recognize and value this particular credential. The debt load is substantial for what amounts to additional coursework rather than a graduate degree, so confirm this certificate actually opens the doors you're expecting.

Where University of Central Florida 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 Central FloridaOrlando	$6,368	$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 Central Florida, approximately 33% 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.