Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at William Peace University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$42,830

Est. from NC median (6 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable special education programs in North Carolina, William Peace's graduates would start around $42,830—slightly below the national median but matching the state average. The estimated $27,000 in debt is close to typical for this field, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. However, these figures come from peer programs across the state, not William Peace's actual outcomes, so there's meaningful uncertainty about what this specific program delivers.

What's concerning is the comparison to NC's public universities. East Carolina, Appalachian State, and the UNC system schools all report first-year earnings in the $42,500-$44,000 range—essentially matching or exceeding what similar private programs suggest—while their graduates typically carry less debt (NC's median for special education is $24,500). Teaching salaries in North Carolina are largely determined by state pay scales, which means a Peace graduate won't necessarily out-earn a public university peer, yet may have borrowed $2,500-$5,000 more to get there.

The practical question: Is Peace's smaller campus and potentially more personalized attention worth the financial trade-off when teaching credentials and starting salaries are relatively standardized? Without actual graduate outcomes from this program, that's difficult to assess. If your child thrives in intimate settings and Peace offers stronger support systems, the modest additional debt might be justified—but confirm graduation rates and job placement support before committing.

Where William Peace University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
William Peace UniversityRaleigh	$33,150	$42,830*	—	$27,000*	—
East Carolina UniversityGreenville	$7,361	$44,185*	$41,964	$26,416*	0.60
Appalachian State UniversityBoone	$7,541	$43,283*	$42,295	$25,000*	0.58
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro	$7,593	$42,967*	$39,988	$24,000*	0.56
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte	$7,214	$42,692*	$41,222	$26,602*	0.62
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington	$7,317	$42,584*	$42,392	$19,500*	0.46
National Median	—	$44,139*	—	$26,717*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with special education and teaching graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, All Other

All special education teachers not listed separately.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

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 William Peace University, approximately 35% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.