Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College's subject-area teaching program offers something increasingly rare: a pathway into education that doesn't burden graduates with crushing debt. At just $13,178 in median debt—half the state average and far below the national figure—this program demonstrates how a public university can prepare teachers without requiring them to take on massive financial risk. Starting at $46,233 puts graduates ahead of 75% of similar programs nationwide and 60% within New York.

The $54,542 earnings by year four represent solid growth for teaching careers, which typically follow structured salary schedules. While Brooklyn College graduates earn less than those from CUNY Queens or Hunter, the debt difference more than compensates: the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates could realistically pay off loans within a single year of focused payments. For comparison, teachers from many private programs face ratios three times higher.

For families considering teaching programs in New York, Brooklyn College presents a financially sensible choice. The program serves predominantly middle-class students (56% receive Pell grants), yet produces earnings outcomes that exceed both state and national medians. The combination of below-market debt and above-average earnings creates exactly what anxious parents should want: a teaching credential that doesn't require financial martyrdom to obtain.