Special Education Degree in Westminster, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Westminster, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Westminster
Cost of Living
103.8
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Westminster, CO Overview
While Westminster has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Special Education students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,873/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Westminster is approximately $51,900.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,873/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,973/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Special Education Salary in Westminster (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Westminster's cost of living index of 103.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Westminster adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Westminster
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Westminster tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Westminster avg aid: $8,973/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,570
vs HS diploma in Westminster
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Westminster
$203,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($311,400) minus total education cost ($108,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Westminster
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Westminster for Special Education
Westminster State University
public
$12,100/yr
$48,400 total
University of Westminster
public
$10,429/yr
$41,716 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Westminster Community College
$5,187/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Westminster
Westminster offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Westminster Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Westminster
Instructional Design & Technology
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Westminster — 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 Westminster.