Special Education and Teachingat Utah State University
Graduates earn $61,474/yr in their first year — about 39.0% above the national Special Education and Teaching average. Base-case 10-year earnings $648K; scenarios range from $597K to $665K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Utah State University
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.
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 Utah State University'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 Utah State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Utah State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Utah State University, 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 Utah State University
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.