Special Education Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$46K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $42,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Special Education Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,600
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$172,484
Lifetime earnings premium ($252,000) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Special Education
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Topeka
Instructional Design & Technology
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$42K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$42K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.