Special Education Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$58K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $52,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Special Education Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$234,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($315,000) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Special Education
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$52K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$48K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Akron
Instructional Design & Technology
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$53K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Akron — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Special Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.