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Special Education and Teaching at University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,318/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)

ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #74 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 50%

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	$505K	$504K	$483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.5x	11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.3x	7.3x	7.0x
Probability of Field Employment	81%	73%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,472

Out-of-state: $69,032 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,100

-66% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,750

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,318 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.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Special Education and Teaching programs nationally.

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.

At $18,750 in median debt against $44,318 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #74 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, University of Central Arkansas scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas has a 90% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 7,426 students in Conway, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Arkansas →

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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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 University of Central Arkansas?

A score of 46/100 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 $482,742 in decade earnings vs $505,156 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →