Special Education Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $73,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Special Education Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,900
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$300,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($438,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Special Education
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Other Education Majors in Washington
Instructional Design & Technology
$73K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$73K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$73K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$73K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.