Home › Western Illinois University › Special Education and Teaching

Special Education and Teaching at Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,729/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)

ROI 8.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #85 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	$486K	$487K	$469K
Earnings Multiple	8.1x	8.1x	7.8x
Probability of Field Employment	81%	73%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$59,808

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,368

22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,896

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,274

3% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,729 per year, Special Education and Teaching graduates from Western Illinois University earn slightly above the $44,105 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 8.1x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Special Education and Teaching career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $22,896 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #85 ranking among 170 Special Education and Teaching programs places Western Illinois University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $46,729 to $48,274 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Western Illinois University

With 75% of applicants admitted, Western Illinois University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 4,939 students in Macomb, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Illinois 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

Other Majors at Western Illinois University

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 does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Special Education and Teaching at Western Illinois University?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Special Education and Teaching programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Special Education and Teaching at Western Illinois University?

The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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