Special Education and Teaching at Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,699/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 5.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #154 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs

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 $462K $465K $452K
Earnings Multiple 5.4x 5.5x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$84,888
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,208
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,616
12% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,699 track close to the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 5.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$39,699 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #154 out of 170 programs, Liberty University's financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $39,699 to $44,616 over five years (12% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Liberty University

Liberty University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 50,059 in Lynchburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Liberty 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

Other Majors at Liberty University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Liberty University's Special Education and Teaching program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Special Education and Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →