Special Education Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Special Education Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,550
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$274,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($411,000) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Special Education
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$70K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Syracuse
Instructional Design & Technology
$69K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$69K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$69K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$69K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.