Special Education Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Teaching students with disabilities or special learning needs.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
1.5%
rate
Special Education Overview
Teaching students with disabilities or special learning needs.
Category
Education
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
70%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$300K
Female Graduates
85%
Special Education Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$14,850
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$14,850
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$285,150
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,000) minus net degree cost ($14,850)
Special Education Salary Progression
Common Special Education Careers
Special Education Teacher
Behavior Specialist
Educational Diagnostician
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Special Education
#1
Vanderbilt
#2
University of Virginia
#3
University of Kansas
#4
University of Oregon
#5
University of Florida
Related Majors
Special Education Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Special Education Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for special education programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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