Special Education Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $55,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Special Education Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$232,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($333,000) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Special Education
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford 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
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 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
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Medford
Instructional Design & Technology
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.