Special Education and Teaching at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,975/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Choosing Special Education at USF places you in a strong position within a high-demand field. The Tampa Bay region's consistent population growth means local school districts, like Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, are always seeking qualified educators, particularly those with specialized training. Your strong earning potential reflects this robust regional labor market and USF's reputation for preparing graduates ready for the classroom. The program's practical focus and connections with area schools mean you'll likely gain valuable experience during your studies, translating directly into desirable roles upon graduation. While broader trends suggest AI's impact on many sectors, the uniquely human and empathetic skills central to special education ensure these roles remain critical. To maximize your opportunities, focus on gaining diverse field experiences with various student populations during your program to broaden your appeal to employers.

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 $524K $521K $496K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 20.3x 19.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.5x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,640
Out-of-state: $69,296 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,172
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,875
4% growth from Year 1

About University of South Florida

A 41% admission rate makes University of South Florida accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 36,299 in Tampa, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Florida →

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 South Florida?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Special Education and Teaching field.
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 $496,267 in decade earnings vs $524,048 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of South Florida's Special Education and Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 170 programs nationally, University of South Florida lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →