Special Education and Teaching at SUNY at Fredonia

The four-year earnings figure of $48,839 tells you what you need to know: this program delivers steady if modest income growth in a field where New York pays less than the national average. While first-year earnings are estimated at $38,978 based on seven comparable special education programs across New York, by year four graduates are earning documented salaries that exceed the national median for this degree. That progression matters for a teaching credential where early-career income traditionally lags other bachelor's degrees.

The $26,000 debt load sits right at New York's median for special education programs and slightly below the national benchmark. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, graduates typically owe about eight months of their first-year salary—manageable territory for a public service profession. Special education teaching offers something many degrees don't: predictable salary schedules and employer-supported loan forgiveness programs that can dramatically improve the debt picture within five to ten years of employment.

The challenge is geographic. Top-performing programs in New York like Pace ($62,346) and Syracuse ($55,881) produce significantly higher early earnings, though some of that premium reflects downstate cost-of-living and different district placements. SUNY Fredonia's outcomes align closely with peer SUNY programs, suggesting the credential delivers standard preparation at standard debt levels. If your child is committed to special education teaching—particularly in upstate New York where these salary ranges are common—the numbers work. If they're uncertain about the field, that first-year estimate should give them pause about borrowing $26,000 to explore.