Special Education and Teaching at Utah State University

Logan, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,474/yr (39% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Utah State's Special Education program consistently delivers strong outcomes, a testament to the enduring demand for skilled educators in Utah and the broader Intermountain West. As a public institution, USU cultivates deep relationships with regional school districts, creating robust pipelines for student teaching placements and post-graduation employment. Your practical training will be highly valued, making you an attractive candidate for roles supporting diverse student needs across public K-12 systems. Graduates often step directly into stable positions, benefiting from the university's reputation for producing well-prepared, compassionate teachers. To maximize your potential, proactively engage with every practicum and networking opportunity. Building strong connections with local educators and administrators during your studies is invaluable for securing your first role and navigating the nuanced landscape of special education. Focus on developing those indispensable human-centric skills that are at the heart of this critical profession.

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 $665K $648K $597K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.6x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.5x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 59
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,912
Out-of-state: $99,208 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,476
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,250
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,315
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

About Utah State University

Utah State University has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 20,342 students enrolled in Logan, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Utah State University →

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 Utah State University?
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 $596,882 in decade earnings vs $664,611 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Utah State University's Special Education and Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #8 of 170 programs nationally, Utah State University 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 →