Special Education and Teaching at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast's special education program sits in an awkward middle ground: it beats the national average by about $2,700 annually, but lags behind Florida's median for the field. Among Florida programs, it ranks in the 40th percentile—meaning most other in-state options produce stronger earnings outcomes. The state's top programs like FAU and Miami Dade deliver starting salaries $7,000-$10,000 higher, which compounds significantly over a career in a field where salary growth tends to be modest and schedule-based.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $22,931, graduates carry slightly less than Florida's median and considerably less than the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 is manageable for education majors, who typically have predictable income and access to loan forgiveness programs. However, the 6% earnings growth over four years barely outpaces inflation, which is typical for special education but means early-career finances will feel tight.

One important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could vary widely. If your child is committed to teaching special education in Southwest Florida specifically—where FGCU has strong regional connections—the program works. But if maximizing earning potential matters, several Florida public universities offer measurably better returns for similar or lower debt. The question isn't whether this program leads to employable skills (it does), but whether it's the best option within Florida's public system.