Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at University of Georgia

UGA's subject-area teacher education program sits right in the middle of the pack nationally but edges ahead of most Georgia alternatives—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $43,129. That matters because most education majors stay close to home for their careers, and UGA graduates are earning more than teachers from 24 of the 27 programs in the state. The $20,750 in typical debt is notably lower than both the state average ($27,000) and national average ($26,221), giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48.

The earnings trajectory is modest but steady, with graduates seeing a 7% increase to $46,008 by year four. That's typical for education careers, which trade rapid salary growth for stability and benefits. What stands out is the value equation: UGA's relatively selective admissions (37% acceptance rate, 1301 average SAT) haven't translated into premium teaching salaries, but the lower debt load means graduates aren't financially squeezed in those early career years.

For families weighing UGA against other Georgia options, this program delivers slightly above-average outcomes at below-average debt. Only Abraham Baldwin and Kennesaw State show meaningfully higher earnings, and both likely come with their own tradeoffs in specialization or location. If your child is committed to teaching and UGA is the academic and cultural fit, the financial fundamentals here are sound—just understand that education careers prioritize stability over income growth.