Special Education Degree in Greensboro, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Greensboro, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.3 yrs
in Greensboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Greensboro, NC Overview
Greensboro, North Carolina (pop. 299,035) has 17 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $945/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Greensboro is approximately $45,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$7,000/yr
Private Tuition
$35,007/yr
Room & Board
$11,140/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,503/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
71%
Special Education Salary in Greensboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Greensboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Greensboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Greensboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Greensboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,000 | Private avg: $35,007
Greensboro avg aid: $14,503/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$72,560
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Greensboro
ROI Payback Period
5.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Greensboro
$200,440
Lifetime earnings premium ($273,000) minus total education cost ($72,560)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Greensboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Greensboro for Special Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
public
$7,337/yr
$29,348 total
North Carolina A&T State University
public
$6,662/yr
$26,648 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Guilford Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Greensboro
Greensboro offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Greensboro Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$42K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Greensboro
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 Greensboro — 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 Greensboro.