Special Education and Teaching at Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
58
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,866/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 22.3x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Florida Gulf Coast University's Special Education and Teaching program distinguishes itself by preparing you for a high-demand field within a rapidly growing region. Southwest Florida experiences consistent population growth, driving a strong need for skilled educators, especially those equipped to support diverse learning needs. You'll find robust recruiting pipelines into local public school districts like Lee and Collier Counties, along with various private and specialized educational institutions, all seeking passionate special education professionals. The program likely emphasizes extensive practical experience and local networking, which are crucial for securing positions quickly upon graduation. While broader trends suggest AI risk for some education roles, your direct, empathetic, and highly personalized impact in special education remains profoundly human-centric and irreplaceable. To maximize your success, actively engage in every practicum and student teaching opportunity; these experiences are your most valuable bridge to employment and building essential professional relationships.

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 $551K $546K $516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.5x 22.3x 21.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 58 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$24,472
Out-of-state: $100,648 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$41,276
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,249
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,014
17% growth from Year 1

About Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,809 in Fort Myers, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida Gulf Coast 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
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Special Education and Teaching at Other Schools

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Other Majors at Florida Gulf Coast 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at Florida Gulf Coast University?
A score of 58/100 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 $515,788 in decade earnings vs $551,325 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Florida Gulf Coast University's Special Education and Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 170 programs nationally, Florida Gulf Coast University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →