Special Education and Teaching at University of Georgia

At nearly $43,200 starting, UGA's special education graduates earn slightly below both the national and Georgia medians for the field—landing at the 40th percentile statewide. That's noteworthy given UGA's strong reputation and selectivity (37% admission rate, 1301 average SAT). Georgia College & State University, for instance, places its graduates about $2,000 higher initially, suggesting UGA isn't leveraging its brand advantage in this particular program area.

The financial fundamentals remain sound, though. The $25,000 median debt equals exactly the state median and sits comfortably below the national benchmark. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, graduates can realistically manage their loans while building careers in special education. Earnings climb 10% by year four to $47,248, which tracks reasonably with the demands and compensation structure of public school positions.

For parents, this comes down to expectations: UGA delivers a manageable debt load and stable career preparation, but not an earnings premium over less selective Georgia institutions. If your child is drawn to UGA's campus environment and resources, they won't face financial hardship pursuing special education here. Just recognize they could achieve similar or slightly better starting salaries at other in-state programs, potentially with lower overall costs of attendance.