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

For a field where steady employment matters more than high salaries, this program's estimated $27,000 debt load—based on median borrowing across similar teacher education programs in Georgia—looks manageable against first-year earnings of $42,102. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio sits below the threshold where education debt typically becomes burdensome, and graduates are earning slightly above the state median for teacher education programs while tracking close to national benchmarks.

The modest 7% earnings growth over four years reflects teaching's compressed salary structure rather than any weakness in this program. What's more telling is that University of North Georgia graduates land in the 60th percentile among Georgia teacher preparation programs—a solid middle-tier position in a competitive state market. With a 72% admission rate and reasonable selectivity, this represents an accessible pathway into a stable profession without the debt burden that plagues many bachelor's programs.

The caveat: because the debt figure draws from peer programs rather than actual UNG data, your child's borrowing could vary. Still, for families prioritizing career stability and public service over maximum earnings potential, this combination of estimated debt and documented starting salaries suggests a workable financial foundation for a teaching career. Georgia's public school system offers clear salary schedules and benefits that extend beyond what first-year earnings alone reveal.