Special Education and Teaching at Pace University

Pace University's special education program reports earnings of $62,346—placing it in the 95th percentile both nationally and among New York programs. That's $24,000 above the New York state median and nearly $7,000 more than Syracuse University, typically considered the state's strongest program in this field. For a teaching degree in one of the country's most expensive metros, these numbers look exceptional.

The $24,000 median debt translates to a 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is quite manageable for an education degree. While the debt sits slightly above state and national medians, the earnings premium more than compensates—graduates would have roughly $2,000 in monthly income after taxes to work with, making those loan payments straightforward even on a teacher's salary.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. Small samples can produce misleading results, especially if a few graduates landed unusually lucrative positions in wealthy districts or specialized roles. That said, the combination of strong earnings, reasonable debt, and New York teaching credentials creates a compelling financial profile—assuming these results hold up as more data becomes available.