Special Education Degree in Tallahassee, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Tallahassee, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Tallahassee
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Tallahassee, FL Overview
Tallahassee, Florida (pop. 196,169) has 11 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $733/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Tallahassee is approximately $44,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$6,151/yr
Private Tuition
$31,072/yr
Room & Board
$9,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,707/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
61%
Special Education Salary in Tallahassee (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tallahassee's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Tallahassee adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Tallahassee
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Tallahassee tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,151 | Private avg: $31,072
Tallahassee avg aid: $12,707/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,350
vs HS diploma in Tallahassee
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tallahassee
$202,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($267,000) minus total education cost ($64,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Tallahassee
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tallahassee for Special Education
Florida State University
public
$6,517/yr
$26,068 total
Florida A&M University
public
$5,785/yr
$23,140 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tallahassee Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Tallahassee
Tallahassee offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tallahassee Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Education Majors in Tallahassee
Instructional Design & Technology
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Tallahassee — 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 Tallahassee.