Special Education and Teaching at Barry University

Special education teachers are in high demand across Florida, but Barry's estimated outcomes suggest this program carries more financial weight than many state alternatives. Based on comparable programs in Florida, graduates likely earn around $48,000 in their first year—right at the state median but trailing programs like Florida Atlantic ($56,000) and even Miami Dade College ($54,000) by substantial margins. The estimated $27,000 in debt sits above Florida's typical $21,000 for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that's manageable but not competitive.

The core challenge here is value relative to cost. Special education is a reliable career path with strong job security, and these estimated earnings match the national 75th percentile for the field. However, Florida's public universities and colleges appear to deliver similar or better outcomes while keeping debt lower. For a family paying private university prices at Barry, you'd want clear advantages—perhaps in clinical placements, mentorship, or employment connections—that justify the additional borrowing. Nearly half of Barry's students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are managing significant financial need.

If your child is committed to special education and has specific reasons for choosing Barry over Florida's public options, the numbers work—teachers can handle this debt level. But purely from a financial standpoint, the state's flagship programs offer what appears to be stronger early-career positioning at lower cost.