Special Education Degree in Chesapeake, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Chesapeake, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Chesapeake
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Chesapeake, VA Overview
Chesapeake, Virginia (pop. 249,422) has 12 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $850/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chesapeake is approximately $45,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,558/yr
Private Tuition
$19,500/yr
Room & Board
$9,787/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,853/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
67%
Special Education Salary in Chesapeake (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chesapeake's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Chesapeake adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Chesapeake
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Chesapeake tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,558 | Private avg: $19,500
Chesapeake avg aid: $9,853/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Chesapeake
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chesapeake
$187,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($273,000) minus total education cost ($85,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Chesapeake
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chesapeake for Special Education
South University Virginia Beach
private
$19,500/yr
$78,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Chesapeake
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Chesapeake
Chesapeake offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chesapeake Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Chesapeake
Instructional Design & Technology
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Chesapeake — 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 Chesapeake.