Special Education Degree in Duluth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Duluth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.1 yrs
in Duluth
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Duluth, MN Overview
While Duluth has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,662/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 Duluth is approximately $50,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$13,872/yr
Private Tuition
$41,612/yr
Room & Board
$12,662/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,990/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
64%
Special Education Salary in Duluth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Duluth's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Duluth adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Duluth
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Duluth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,872 | Private avg: $41,612
Duluth avg aid: $15,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$106,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,000
vs HS diploma in Duluth
ROI Payback Period
7.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Duluth
$193,864
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,000) minus total education cost ($106,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Duluth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Duluth for Special Education
University of Minnesota Duluth
public
$13,872/yr
$55,488 total
College of St. Scholastica
private
$41,612/yr
$166,448 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lake Superior College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Duluth
Duluth offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Duluth Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$49K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$51K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$54K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$53K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$50K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$49K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$54K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Duluth
Instructional Design & Technology
$50K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$50K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Duluth — 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 Duluth.