Special Education Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $44,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Special Education Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$151,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($265,500) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Special Education
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke 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
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 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
Other Education Majors in Roanoke
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 Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.