Special Education Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/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 Gresham is approximately $55,100.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Special Education Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,530
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$225,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($330,600) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Special Education
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham 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
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 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 Gresham
Instructional Design & Technology
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$55K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Gresham — 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 Gresham.