Special Education and Teaching at Rowan University

New Jersey typically delivers stronger starting salaries for special education graduates than most states—median first-year earnings of $48,628 versus the national figure of $44,139. While Rowan's estimated earnings align with the national benchmark rather than the higher state average, comparable programs suggest an estimated debt load of $26,023, which creates a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's solidly in reasonable territory for an education degree.

The challenge is the uncertainty here. With actual outcomes unavailable for Rowan's program specifically, you're working with national estimates that may not reflect how this particular school's graduates perform in New Jersey's public education job market. Kean University, for instance, reports outcomes at the state median of $48,628—about $4,500 higher than what peer programs nationally suggest. That difference matters when you're assessing return on investment.

If your child is committed to special education, this program likely offers acceptable value given the debt picture. But before committing, contact Rowan's education department directly to ask about recent graduate placement rates and starting salaries in local districts. The difference between performing at national versus state levels could mean $20,000+ over five years—worth a phone call to clarify.