Special Education Degree in Macon, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Macon, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Macon
Cost of Living
101
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Macon, GA Overview
Macon, Georgia (pop. 157,346) has 13 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 101 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,007/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Macon is approximately $50,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,056/yr
Private Tuition
$40,560/yr
Room & Board
$11,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,538/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Special Education Salary in Macon (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Macon's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Macon adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Macon
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Macon tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,056 | Private avg: $40,560
Macon avg aid: $10,538/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$91,156
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,150
vs HS diploma in Macon
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Macon
$211,844
Lifetime earnings premium ($303,000) minus total education cost ($91,156)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Macon
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Macon for Special Education
Mercer University
private
$40,560/yr
$162,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Georgia Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Macon
Macon offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Macon Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Macon
Instructional Design & Technology
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$51K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Macon — 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 Macon.