Special Education and Teaching at Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College's special education program starts strong with first-year earnings of $51,415—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and well above the national median of $44,139. That's impressive performance for a teaching program. The $27,000 debt load is also reasonable, sitting right at both state and national medians with a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The complication here is earnings trajectory. Rather than growing, graduates see earnings decline to $45,900 by year four—an 11% drop. This pattern isn't uncommon in teaching, where initial district placements may offer better compensation than subsequent positions, but it's worth understanding. Even with this decline, graduates remain above the national median. Within Pennsylvania, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, performing competitively but not at the top tier (York College and several state universities show slightly higher outcomes at similar or lower debt levels).

For parents willing to pay private school tuition for a teaching credential, this is a solid choice that delivers strong initial outcomes with manageable debt. The earnings decline bears watching—ask the school about placement districts and whether graduates tend to move into administrative roles or adjacent fields where the strong starting salary could lead somewhere. If your child is committed to special education and values Lebanon Valley's small-school environment, the financial fundamentals support that decision.