Special Education Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Birmingham is approximately $44,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Special Education Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$181,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($264,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Special Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Birmingham
Instructional Design & Technology
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$44K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Birmingham — 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 Birmingham.