Special Education Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.6 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $63,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Special Education Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,900
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
3.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$310,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Special Education
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Scottsdale
Instructional Design & Technology
$63K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$63K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$63K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$63K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.