Special Education Degree in Fort Lauderdale, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Fort Lauderdale, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Fort Lauderdale
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Fort Lauderdale, FL Overview
While Fort Lauderdale has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,777/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 Lauderdale is approximately $46,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,805/yr
Private Tuition
$33,650/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,111/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
47%
Special Education Salary in Fort Lauderdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Lauderdale's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Fort Lauderdale adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Fort Lauderdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Fort Lauderdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,805 | Private avg: $33,650
Fort Lauderdale avg aid: $7,111/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,328
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Fort Lauderdale
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Lauderdale
$185,672
Lifetime earnings premium ($276,000) minus total education cost ($90,328)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Fort Lauderdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Lauderdale for Special Education
Nova Southeastern University
private
$33,650/yr
$134,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Broward College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Lauderdale Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Other Education Majors in Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale — 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 Lauderdale.