Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Bryant & Stratton College-Online

Bryant & Stratton's online teaching associate program sits squarely in the middle of New York's offerings—literally at the state median for earnings—but carries debt levels that should concern parents. While graduates earn $23,210 in their first year, they're shouldering $26,531 in debt, meaning they owe more than they'll make in that critical first year post-graduation. For context, this is nearly double the national median debt for similar programs ($13,608), placing it in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden.

There's a silver lining: this program significantly outperforms the national earnings median for teaching associate degrees, and with 75% of students receiving Pell grants, it's clearly serving students who need pathways into education careers. However, the debt load creates a challenging financial start, especially in a field not known for high entry-level salaries. The program performs identically to Bryant & Stratton's Buffalo campus, suggesting consistent outcomes across locations.

For families considering this path, understand that your child will likely spend their first year-plus of earnings just managing debt payments. If teaching is the goal and associate-level credentials are the entry point in your state, explore whether community colleges offer similar programs with lower debt burdens—many do. This isn't an unreasonable program, but the debt premium for online delivery doesn't translate to higher earnings here.