Special Education Degree in Surprise, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Surprise, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Surprise
Cost of Living
100.2
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Surprise, AZ Overview
Surprise, Arizona (pop. 143,148) has 6 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,095/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Surprise is approximately $50,100.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,400/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,357/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,568/yr
Unemployment
3.5%
Graduation Rate
49%
Special Education Salary in Surprise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Surprise's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Surprise adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Surprise
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Surprise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,400 | Private avg: $24,000
Surprise avg aid: $13,568/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,028
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,030
vs HS diploma in Surprise
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Surprise
$197,572
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,600) minus total education cost ($103,028)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Surprise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Surprise for Special Education
Surprise State University
public
$12,369/yr
$49,476 total
University of Surprise
public
$12,295/yr
$49,180 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Surprise Community College
$5,065/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Surprise
Surprise offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Surprise 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
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Education Majors in Surprise
Instructional Design & Technology
$50K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$50K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Surprise — 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 Surprise.