Special Education and Teaching at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University's special education program stands out nationally, with first-year earnings of $56,009 placing it in the 95th percentile compared to similar programs across the country. That's substantially above both the national median of $44,139 and Florida's median of $48,147 for this degree. With estimated debt around $21,370 based on comparable Florida programs, graduates would face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38—meaning less than five months of gross salary to cover the full debt load.

The earnings trajectory deserves attention, however. Fourth-year earnings drop to $52,345, a 6% decline that's unusual for most fields. This likely reflects Florida's teacher salary structures and the realities of public education compensation rather than individual career trajectories. Still, even with this dip, FAU graduates appear to outperform peers at comparable Florida institutions like University of Central Florida ($48,147) and University of North Florida ($47,734).

For parents concerned about return on investment, the combination of strong starting salaries and modest debt makes this program financially viable. The real question is whether your child can accept the salary plateau that comes with teaching careers—if they're committed to special education despite limited salary growth, FAU's outcomes suggest they'll enter the field on solid financial footing compared to teachers from other programs.