Special Education Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $54,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Special Education Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$248,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($324,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Special Education
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Lawrence
Instructional Design & Technology
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$54K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.