Special Education and Teaching at University of North Florida

UNF's special education program graduates carry just $13,509 in debt—a remarkable figure that's lower than 95% of programs nationally and roughly half the Florida median. This creates an exceptionally manageable debt burden even as earnings fall in the middle range for Florida special education teachers. While the $47,734 starting salary lags behind state leaders like Florida Atlantic ($56,009) and ranks at the 40th percentile statewide, the low debt means graduates could pay off their loans in less than four months of gross salary.

The earnings trajectory deserves attention: median pay actually drops to $43,051 by year four, which could reflect graduates moving into different roles within education or taking time off. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) makes it difficult to know if this pattern is representative or an anomaly. What's clear is that the debt picture gives these graduates meaningful financial flexibility early in their careers, allowing them to focus on their teaching work without crushing monthly payments.

For a family prioritizing affordability in a stable career field, UNF delivers strong value through its remarkably low debt burden. The tradeoff is that your graduate likely won't earn at the top of Florida's special education salary range, but they'll start their career with minimal financial pressure—a significant advantage in a profession known for modest but stable compensation.