Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Georgia

Median Earnings (1yr)

$43,129

50th percentile

60th percentile in Georgia

Median Debt

$20,750

21% below national median

Analysis

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.

Where University of Georgia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Georgia graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
University of Georgia	$43,129	$46,008	+7%
Georgia Southern University	$41,063	$48,234	+17%
Kennesaw State University	$45,243	$47,255	+4%
University of North Georgia	$42,102	$45,093	+7%
University of West Georgia	$43,308	$43,482	+0%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (27 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of GeorgiaAthens	$11,180	$43,129	$46,008	$20,750	0.48
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeTifton	$3,195	$50,429	—	$26,250	0.52
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw	$5,786	$45,243	$47,255	$26,500	0.59
University of West GeorgiaCarrollton	$5,971	$43,308	$43,482	$27,000	0.62
University of North GeorgiaDahlonega	$5,009	$42,102	$45,093	—	—
Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro	$5,905	$41,063	$48,234	$27,000	0.66
National Median	—	$43,082	—	$26,221	0.61

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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 Georgia, approximately 17% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 73 graduates with reported earnings and 116 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.