Special Education Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $70,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Special Education Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,150
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$290,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($423,000) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Special Education
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$71K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$62K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$58K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$70K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$58K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$55K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$56K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Bridgeport
Instructional Design & Technology
$71K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$71K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$71K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Bridgeport — 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 Bridgeport.