Special Education and Teaching at Florida State University

Florida State's special education program carries debt of $22,709—slightly above the state median but well below the national average—for estimated first-year earnings around $48,000, based on similar programs across Florida. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would need to dedicate less than half of their first year's salary to pay off their loans, a manageable starting point for a teaching career.

The four-year earnings figure of $52,341 provides the only program-specific data point available, suggesting modest but steady income growth. This tracks with what we see statewide: special education teachers in Florida earn solidly at the state median, though programs at FAU and Miami Dade College report outcomes $4,000-$8,000 higher. The field itself pays consistently—the national benchmarks cluster tightly around $44,000-$48,000—so geography and school district matter more than prestige here.

For families weighing FSU's 25% admission rate and strong academic profile against teaching salaries, the math is straightforward: this program won't generate high earnings, but it produces debt levels that teachers can realistically handle. The bigger question is whether your student is committed to special education specifically, since comparable programs at less selective Florida schools show similar or better outcomes with potentially less competitive admissions pressure.