Special Education Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. 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
6.8 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $45,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Special Education Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro'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.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$179,968
Lifetime earnings premium ($273,000) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Special Education
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Murfreesboro
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 Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.