Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at University of Florida

UF's teaching program sits in an unusual spot: graduates earn well above the national median ($46K vs. $42K nationally) but trail most Florida programs, landing at just the 40th percentile statewide. Even community colleges like Miami Dade and Florida SouthWestern produce teachers earning $5,000+ more annually—a meaningful gap when starting salaries are this modest. At a selective institution with a 24% admission rate and 1397 average SAT, parents might expect stronger placement outcomes.

The debt picture offers better news. At $18,063, borrowing runs well below both Florida's median ($21K) and the national average ($26K), creating a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's less than half a year's salary—among the lowest burdens you'll find for education programs. For a field where earnings grow modestly over time, starting with minimal debt matters.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so treat them as directional rather than definitive. If your child is committed to teaching in Florida's public schools, the lighter debt load makes this workable despite the earnings lag. But understand that graduates from less selective Florida programs are consistently out-earning UF-trained teachers in their first year—something worth investigating before committing.