Special Education Degree in Fort Collins, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Fort Collins, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Fort Collins
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Fort Collins, CO Overview
While Fort Collins has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,826/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 Fort Collins is approximately $63,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,138/yr
Private Tuition
$33,574/yr
Room & Board
$19,826/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,695/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Special Education Salary in Fort Collins (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Collins's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Fort Collins adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Fort Collins
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Fort Collins tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,138 | Private avg: $33,574
Fort Collins avg aid: $10,695/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,900
vs HS diploma in Fort Collins
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Collins
$250,144
Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($127,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Fort Collins
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Collins for Special Education
Colorado State University
public
$12,138/yr
$48,552 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Front Range Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Fort Collins
Fort Collins offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Collins Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Fort Collins
Instructional Design & Technology
$63K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$63K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$63K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$63K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Fort Collins — 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 Fort Collins.