Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degree) at Stony Brook University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,790

Est. from NY median (23 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,373

Est. from NY median (12 programs)

Analysis

In New York's competitive teacher education market, comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $40,790—well below what graduates from CUNY Queens College ($58,894) and Hunter College ($49,245) typically see. At an estimated debt load of $24,373, Stony Brook's program appears reasonably priced, but the earnings gap compared to top-performing programs in the state raises practical questions about career trajectory differences that debt ratios alone don't capture.

The 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, and the debt estimate sits below both state and national medians for teacher education programs. However, peer programs across New York show a wide earnings range—the strongest programs produce starting salaries 20-40% higher than the state median. Whether this reflects geographic differences in school district salaries, subject area specializations, or program quality remains unclear from the limited data available.

Given Stony Brook's solid academic profile (1410 average SAT), the earnings estimate seems surprisingly modest. If your child is committed to teaching in New York, investigate which specific subject areas and districts Stony Brook graduates typically enter, and compare those placement patterns to programs like CUNY Queens that consistently produce stronger earnings outcomes. The debt is reasonable, but maximizing earning potential from day one matters significantly in a field where salary growth is often predetermined by union contracts.

Where Stony Brook University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (60 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook	$10,560	$40,790*	—	$24,373*	—
CUNY Queens CollegeQueens	$7,538	$58,894*	$53,787	$16,000*	0.27
CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn	$7,332	$49,750*	—	—*	—
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York	$7,382	$49,245*	$64,149	$12,000*	0.24
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse	$63,061	$49,186*	$57,701	$26,664*	0.54
Ithaca CollegeIthaca	$50,510	$48,249*	$52,097	$26,500*	0.55
National Median	—	$43,082*	—	$26,221*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Stony Brook University, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.