Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,928
Est. from FL median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,333
Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

With an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, this online bachelor's in education suggests a manageable financial path—though the figures come from comparable programs rather than UF Online's specific graduates. Based on Florida's education programs, first-year earnings around $39,000 align with what other state schools report, while the estimated $24,000 debt load sits slightly above Florida's typical $21,000 but remains below the national median for education degrees.

The challenge is less about the numbers themselves than what they represent: teaching salaries start modest everywhere, and whether that works financially depends heavily on where your child plans to work and whether they'll pursue graduate credentials later. Florida's relatively lower cost of living compared to other states helps, and the online format may have reduced overall education costs. Programs like Flagler College show that some Florida education graduates earn noticeably more ($45,000+), possibly reflecting differences in specialization, location, or certification paths.

For a student committed to teaching, these estimates suggest reasonable financial positioning—debt that's payable on an educator's salary without becoming overwhelming. The bigger question is whether your child has explored the realities of teaching careers: the workload, salary progression, and geographic variations in compensation. If they're certain about the profession, the financial framework here appears sound based on peer programs.

Where University of Florida-Online Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Florida-OnlineGainesville$3,876$38,928*—$24,333*—
Flagler CollegeSaint Augustine$26,610$45,447*$42,999$30,750*0.68
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton$4,879$38,928*$41,275$18,474*0.47
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers$6,118$38,392*$39,245$20,755*0.54
National Median—$38,660*—$26,522*0.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with education 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:

Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

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 Florida-Online, approximately 20% 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 median of 3 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.