Special Education and Teaching at Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,283/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI
16.6x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Special Education and Teaching graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $503K | $502K | $481K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.7x | 16.6x | 15.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.1x | 5.1x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 81% | 73% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 51 | 50 | 55 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (5.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,096
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,424
14% growth from Year 1
About Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 19,304 students in Boone, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State University →Top Career Paths
Education teachers, postsecondary
$72,090/yr
Special education teachers, secondary school
$69,590/yr
Special education teachers, all other
$67,430/yr
Compare & Explore
Special Education and Teaching at Other Schools
Other Majors at Appalachian State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Appalachian State University's Special Education and Teaching program score?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching graduates.
How vulnerable is Special Education and Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Special Education and Teaching careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Appalachian State University rank so high for Special Education and Teaching?
The #43 ranking out of 170 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →