Special Education Degree in Peoria, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Peoria, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Peoria
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Peoria, IL Overview
While Peoria has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,566/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 Peoria is approximately $52,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,032/yr
Private Tuition
$38,400/yr
Room & Board
$10,566/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,588/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Special Education Salary in Peoria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Peoria's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Peoria adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Peoria
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Peoria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,032 | Private avg: $38,400
Peoria avg aid: $9,588/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Peoria
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Peoria
$237,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($312,000) minus total education cost ($74,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Peoria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Peoria for Special Education
Bradley University
private
$38,400/yr
$153,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Illinois Central College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Peoria
Peoria offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Peoria Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Peoria
Instructional Design & Technology
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Peoria — 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 Peoria.