Special Education Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/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 Franklin is approximately $59,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Special Education Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,775
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$251,872
Lifetime earnings premium ($355,500) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Special Education
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Franklin
Instructional Design & Technology
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$59K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Franklin — 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 Franklin.