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

University of South Alabama's teacher education program produces graduates earning around $41,000 annually—a figure that barely budges over the first four years of their careers. This puts them below the state median for Alabama teacher education programs and in the bottom half nationally. Among the 24 Alabama schools offering this program, South Alabama trails not just flagship institutions like Alabama and Auburn, but also regional competitors like Troy University. That 40th percentile state ranking is particularly concerning given that many students choose South Alabama for in-state accessibility.

The debt picture looks manageable at first glance—$26,000 is exactly the national median for this field. The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need about seven months of their first-year salary to cover their loans. But here's the real problem: while that initial burden is reasonable, these teachers see virtually no income growth in their early career years. That $41,000 salary remains essentially frozen, which limits financial flexibility precisely when graduates are trying to establish themselves professionally and personally.

For Alabama families considering teacher education, this data suggests looking at alternatives first. Samford leads the state at $44,644, while even the flagship campuses offer $2,000-3,000 more annually—differences that compound significantly over a teaching career. If South Alabama is the only financially viable option, understand that your graduate will likely need supplemental income streams or tight budgeting in those crucial early career years.