Program Analysis
At $47,132 per year, Special Education and Teaching graduates from Minnesota State University-Mankato earn slightly above the $44,105 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 13.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Special Education and Teaching career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $21,805 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks #33 among 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $47,132 to $51,346 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.