Special Education Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Omaha, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Omaha
Cost of Living
87
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Omaha, NE Overview
Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Omaha is approximately $43,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$8,268/yr
Private Tuition
$26,461/yr
Room & Board
$12,792/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,593/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Special Education Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Omaha
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Omaha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461
Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,050
vs HS diploma in Omaha
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Omaha
$176,760
Lifetime earnings premium ($261,000) minus total education cost ($84,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Omaha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Omaha for Special Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha
public
$8,268/yr
$33,072 total
Creighton University
private
$44,146/yr
$176,584 total
Bellevue University
private
$8,775/yr
$35,100 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metropolitan Community College Omaha
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Omaha
Omaha offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Omaha Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Education Majors in Omaha
Instructional Design & Technology
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$44K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Omaha — 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 Omaha.