Special Education Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Special Education degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Special Education in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,228/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$16,670/yr
Private Tuition
$56,344/yr
Room & Board
$20,077/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,422/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Special Education Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Special Education ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education degree using local Worcester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,670 | Private avg: $56,344
Worcester avg aid: $15,422/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$146,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,550
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$204,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($351,000) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Special Education in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Special Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
private
$56,818/yr
$227,272 total
College of the Holy Cross
private
$55,870/yr
$223,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Quinsigamond Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Special Education in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Special Education Job Titles
Special Education in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Worcester
Instructional Design & Technology
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$59K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Music Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Special Education Degree in Worcester — 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 Worcester.