Special Education and Teaching at Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,362/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #119 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 $477K $479K $463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.7x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,984
Out-of-state: $96,456 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,652
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,950
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,532
12% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,362/yr, Special Education and Teaching graduates from Ohio University-Main Campus land near the $44,105 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,950 represents roughly 8 months of the $41,362 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #119 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, Ohio University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $46,532 are relatively flat compared to the $41,362 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Ohio University-Main Campus

With 85% of applicants admitted, Ohio University-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 18,456 in Athens, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Main Campus →

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 Ohio University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at Ohio University-Main Campus?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $462,929 in decade earnings vs $477,475 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →