Special Education graduates earn $50,499 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,442 and $60,070. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Special Education is a focused area of study within Education. Graduates typically earn around $50,499 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,010 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 34,843 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$44,171
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,499
Colleges Offering
1,010
Graduates / Year
34,843
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,776
How Much Do Special Education Graduates Earn?
Special Education graduates earn $50,499 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,442 and $60,070.
$44,171
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$50,499
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$51,258
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Special Education graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$41,44225th pct.
$50,499Median
$60,07075th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,499 and an estimated $71,104 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.5 years.
Based on outcomes from 605 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 34,843 students who complete Special Education programs each year, the majority (58%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
26%58%
Master's58%
Bachelor's26%
Post-Bacc Cert.8%
What Can You Do With a Special Education Degree?
Special Education connects to 5 occupations in the job market. Education Teachers leads at $75,350/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
Top Colleges for Special Education
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Special Education students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Special Education program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Special Education shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 32,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,010 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $50,499 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Special Education Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Special Education graduates earn?
Special Education graduates earn a national median of $50,499 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,442 and $60,070. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Special Education degree?
One year after graduation, Special Education degree holders earn a median of $44,171. That climbs to $50,499 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Special Education degree?
Special Education degree holders pursue careers including Education Teachers, which pays a median of $75,350/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Special Education program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Special Education students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Special Education?
1,010 colleges and universities in the United States offer Special Education programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Special Education degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $50,499 and an average net price of roughly $17,776/yr, a Special Education degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Special Education and Education?
Special Education is a focused concentration within the broader Education field. The Education major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Special Education-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Special Education graduates?
Employers hiring Special Education graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Special Education graduates?
The job outlook for Special Education graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +0.3% job growth over the next 10 years. Education Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Education Programs
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