Subject-Area Teaching at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,391/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (444,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #285 of 348 Teacher Education programs

Program Analysis

The data suggests that graduates from this program typically see earnings below the national average for specific subject area teacher education. This often reflects the regional labor market for public school educators in Alabama, where salaries, while stable, may not match those in higher cost-of-living areas or states with different funding models. Many University of Alabama education graduates find fulfilling careers teaching specific subjects within Alabama's robust K-12 public school system, a path that offers consistent pay scales and benefits but often starts lower. If your aspiration is K-12, understand the local district pay structures and consider adding in-demand endorsements to boost your marketability. However, the higher-earning postsecondary roles listed typically require further graduate study, like a Master's or PhD, beyond this initial bachelor's degree, which significantly impacts your long-term earning potential. Plan your educational journey accordingly if you aim for those university-level positions.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Subject-Area Teaching graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $604K $594K $551K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.5x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 55%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,750
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,220
87% growth from Year 1

About The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr
View all 30 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Subject-Area Teaching at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Alabama

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Subject-Area Teaching at The University of Alabama?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Subject-Area Teaching programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Subject-Area Teaching at The University of Alabama?
The 43% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Alabama a good choice for Subject-Area Teaching despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Alabama's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →