Special Education Degree in Eugene, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Eugene, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Eugene
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Eugene, OR Overview
Eugene, Oregon (pop. 176,654) has 14 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,157/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Eugene is approximately $65,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,720/yr
Private Tuition
$33,710/yr
Room & Board
$18,672/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,904/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Special Education Salary in Eugene (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Eugene's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Eugene adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Eugene
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Eugene tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,720 | Private avg: $33,710
Eugene avg aid: $14,904/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Eugene
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Eugene
$264,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($390,000) minus total education cost ($125,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Eugene
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Eugene for Special Education
University of Oregon
public
$12,720/yr
$50,880 total
Northwest Christian University
private
$33,710/yr
$134,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lane Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Eugene
Eugene offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Eugene Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Eugene
Instructional Design & Technology
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$65K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$65K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$65K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Eugene — 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 Eugene.