Special Education and Teaching at Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,807/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI
10.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
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 | $454K | $458K | $446K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.9x | 10.0x | 9.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.2x | 4.2x | 4.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 81% | 73% | 58% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 36 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
About Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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
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
How does Western Kentucky University's Special Education and Teaching program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Special Education and Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Special Education and Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Special Education and Teaching careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →