Special Education and Teaching at Towson University

Towson's Special Education program punches well above its weight nationally, placing graduates in the 95th percentile for earnings—nearly $10,000 above the typical program in this field. More impressively, these graduates carry just $19,750 in debt compared to the national median of $26,717, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 that's among the best you'll find in education programs.

The catch is that within Maryland, this isn't quite the standout it appears nationally—Towson sits at the state median for both earnings and debt. But that's largely because Maryland pays special education teachers well across the board. The state's higher cost of living and robust education funding means your child will be competing in a better-compensated market than most special education teachers nationwide. The slight earnings dip between years one and four (about $800) is typical in teaching, where salaries often plateau early until advanced degrees or additional credentials kick in.

With an 83% admission rate and manageable debt load, this represents an accessible path into a high-demand field. Your child will graduate with strong earning potential from day one and minimal financial burden—a combination that's increasingly rare in education programs. The lack of earnings growth deserves attention if your child plans to stay in classroom teaching, but the low debt means career pivots remain affordable if needed.