Location: Brooklyn, NY•In-State Tuition: $7,452•Out-of-State Tuition: $15,402•Admission Rate: 54%•Avg SAT: 1310
Median Earnings (1yr)
$46,233
75th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$13,178
50% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.29 ManageableSample: 55 graduates

Analysis

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.

Where CUNY Brooklyn College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

CUNY Brooklyn CollegeOther teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How CUNY Brooklyn College graduates compare to all programs nationally

CUNY Brooklyn College earns $46k — 75th percentile among teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
CUNY Brooklyn College$46,233$54,542+18%
New York University$44,500$66,914+50%
CUNY Hunter College$49,245$64,149+30%
St. John's University-New York$32,643$62,189+91%
Syracuse University$49,186$57,701+17%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (60 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn$7,452$46,233$54,542$13,1780.29
CUNY Queens CollegeQueens$7,538$58,894$53,787$16,0000.27
CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn$7,332$49,750———
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York$7,382$49,245$64,149$12,0000.24
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse$63,061$49,186$57,701$26,6640.54
Ithaca CollegeIthaca$50,510$48,249$52,097$26,5000.55
National Median—$43,082—$26,2210.61

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
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 CUNY Brooklyn College, approximately 56% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 55 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.