Special Education Degree in Norfolk, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Norfolk, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Norfolk
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Norfolk, VA Overview
Norfolk, Virginia (pop. 238,005) has 16 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $956/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Norfolk is approximately $46,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$10,571/yr
Private Tuition
$25,348/yr
Room & Board
$9,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,816/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Special Education Salary in Norfolk (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norfolk's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Norfolk adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Norfolk
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Norfolk tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,571 | Private avg: $25,348
Norfolk avg aid: $15,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,056
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,950
vs HS diploma in Norfolk
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norfolk
$198,944
Lifetime earnings premium ($279,000) minus total education cost ($80,056)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Norfolk
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norfolk for Special Education
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Norfolk State University
public
$9,932/yr
$39,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Norfolk
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Norfolk
Norfolk offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norfolk Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Norfolk
Instructional Design & Technology
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$47K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Norfolk — 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 Norfolk.