Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at CUNY York College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,978

Est. from NY median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,250

Est. from NY median (5 programs)

Analysis

York College's special education bachelor's program carries a debt load that sits slightly below both state and national medians, but peer programs across New York suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—roughly $5,000 below what special education teachers earn nationally. That gap matters when you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, meaning graduates typically owe about seven months of their first year's salary.

The estimates here are drawn from seven similar New York programs, and the range is considerable. Some CUNY campuses like Medgar Evers report outcomes closer to $49,000, while others match York's estimated range. What works in York's favor is serving a population where 43% receive Pell grants while keeping estimated debt meaningfully below the $26,000 state median. Special education offers job stability and clear certification pathways in New York, where teacher demand remains strong.

The practical question is whether $23,250 in debt feels manageable on a teacher's starting salary in the metro New York area. Similar programs suggest monthly loan payments around $250-300, which is tight but workable on public school pay scales that include benefits and pension contributions. If your student is committed to special education specifically and values staying local, York provides an affordable route into the profession—just understand the salary expectations going in.

Where CUNY York College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (36 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
CUNY York CollegeJamaica	$7,358	$38,978*	—	$23,250*	—
Pace UniversityNew York	$51,424	$62,346*	—	$24,000*	0.38
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse	$63,061	$55,881*	—	$27,000*	0.48
CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn	$7,352	$49,413*	—	$5,500*	0.11
SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury	$8,379	$38,978*	$44,330	$24,145*	0.62
SUNY College at GeneseoGeneseo	$8,966	$37,229*	—	$23,250*	0.62
National Median	—	$44,139*	—	$26,717*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with special education and teaching graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, All Other

All special education teachers not listed separately.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

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 York College, approximately 43% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.