Special Education and Teaching at CUNY Medgar Evers College

CUNY Medgar Evers College's special education program punches well above its weight. Graduates here earn $49,413 in their first year—landing in the 80th percentile among New York programs and 85th nationally. That's $10,000 more than the typical special education graduate in New York and over $5,000 above the national median. The only in-state programs that surpass it are Pace and Syracuse, both private universities with substantially higher tuition costs.

The financial picture is remarkably clean: graduates leave with just $5,500 in debt, about one-fifth the state and national medians. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.11, meaning graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years. For a college serving predominantly working-class students—57% receive Pell grants—this low debt burden matters enormously. Many students here are likely already working as paraprofessionals or classroom aides, and this degree provides a clear path to higher earnings without the financial burden typical of teacher preparation programs.

If your child wants to teach special education in New York City, this program delivers strong outcomes at minimal cost. The 83% admission rate means access isn't a barrier, and the earnings data suggests graduates are securing positions in NYC's public schools, where starting salaries for certified teachers are competitive. This is exactly the kind of program that makes financial sense for future educators.