Special Education Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. 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
8 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/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 New Bedford is approximately $51,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,635/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,843/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Special Education Salary in New Bedford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Bedford's cost of living index of 102.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local New Bedford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
New Bedford avg aid: $9,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,940
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,375
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$184,560
Lifetime earnings premium ($307,500) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Special Education
New Bedford State University
public
$15,984/yr
$63,936 total
University of New Bedford
public
$18,237/yr
$72,948 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
New Bedford Community College
$5,720/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$59K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in New Bedford
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 New Bedford — 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 New Bedford.