Special Education and Teaching at University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,073/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 8.8x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #163 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 $446K $451K $440K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.8x 8.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.5x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,196
Out-of-state: $68,956 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,924
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,063
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,933
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,073 place University of Akron Main Campus below the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.8x 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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,063 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,073 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #163 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, University of Akron Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $34,073 to $41,933 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Akron Main Campus

University of Akron Main Campus accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 10,011 in Akron, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Akron 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

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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 University of Akron Main Campus?
A score of 26/100 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 $440,431 in decade earnings vs $446,048 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Special Education and Teaching from University of Akron Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →