Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $40,429 track close to the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 12.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% 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.
At $27,000 against $40,429/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #75 ranking among 170 Special Education and Teaching programs places Westfield State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 43% earnings increase from $40,429 to $57,770 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.