Special Education and Teachingat Florida Atlantic University
Graduates earn $56,009/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Special Education and Teaching average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $519K to $556K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Florida Atlantic University
FAU's Special Education program consistently ranks among the nation's best, largely due to the immense and persistent demand for qualified educators across the rapidly expanding South Florida region. Major school districts like Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties are continually seeking dedicated professionals to support diverse student needs. This robust local labor market, combined with FAU's established regional reputation and strong clinical placement opportunities, means graduates are often well-positioned to secure rewarding roles quickly. Your training here equips you for critical work, directly impacting student success in a field where skilled teachers are indispensable. To truly leverage this foundation, actively seek student teaching experiences in varied settings, perhaps across different age groups or disability categories. This practical diversity will make you an even more attractive candidate and prepare you for the real-world complexities of the classroom.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Florida Atlantic University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Special Education and Teaching
How Florida Atlantic University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Florida Atlantic University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Florida Atlantic University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Special Education and Teaching offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Special Education and Teaching trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Special Education and Teaching at Florida Atlantic University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at Florida Atlantic University?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Special Education and Teaching field.
Will AI replace Special Education and Teaching careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $519,431 in decade earnings vs $556,410 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Florida Atlantic University's Special Education and Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 170 programs nationally, Florida Atlantic University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.