Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $47,610 at Northern Arizona University come in 8% above the national median of $44,105 for Special Education and Teaching programs.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Special Education and Teaching's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $47,610 far exceeding the $20,057 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #52 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, Northern Arizona University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $50,073 are relatively flat compared to the $47,610 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.