Special Education Degree in Pomona, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Pomona, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Pomona
Cost of Living
131
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Pomona, CA Overview
Pomona, California (pop. 151,348) has 11 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 131 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,430/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Pomona is approximately $65,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$7,387/yr
Private Tuition
$40,824/yr
Room & Board
$16,037/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,843/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Special Education Salary in Pomona (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pomona's cost of living index of 131 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Pomona adjustment factor: 1.31x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Pomona
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Pomona tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,387 | Private avg: $40,824
Pomona avg aid: $10,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,650
vs HS diploma in Pomona
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pomona
$299,304
Lifetime earnings premium ($393,000) minus total education cost ($93,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Pomona
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pomona for Special Education
Cal Poly Pomona
public
$7,387/yr
$29,548 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mt. San Antonio College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Pomona
Pomona offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pomona Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Pomona
Instructional Design & Technology
$66K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$66K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$66K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$66K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$66K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Pomona — 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 Pomona.