Special Education and Teachingat University of South Florida
Graduates earn $50,975/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national Special Education and Teaching average. Base-case 10-year earnings $521K; scenarios range from $496K to $524K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Florida
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Florida's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Special Education and Teaching
How University of South Florida stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of South Florida
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Florida, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Special Education and Teaching offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Special Education and Teaching trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Special Education and Teaching at University of South Florida
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.