Special Education Degree in Racine, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Racine, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$47K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Racine
Cost of Living
85.8
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Racine, WI Overview
While Racine has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Special Education students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,562/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 Racine is approximately $42,900.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,600/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,051/yr
Unemployment
2.1%
Graduation Rate
72%
Special Education Salary in Racine (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Racine's cost of living index of 85.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Racine adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Racine
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Racine tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,600 | Private avg: $34,000
Racine avg aid: $8,051/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,870
vs HS diploma in Racine
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Racine
$164,752
Lifetime earnings premium ($257,400) minus total education cost ($92,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Racine
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Racine for Special Education
Racine State University
public
$11,121/yr
$44,484 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Racine Community College
$5,143/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Racine
Racine offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Racine Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$47K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$53K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Appleton, WI
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$43K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$54K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Racine
Instructional Design & Technology
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$43K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Racine — 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 Racine.