Special Education and Teaching at Augustana University

Teaching special education in South Dakota appears to offer relatively stable financial prospects, though the estimates here—derived from just three peer programs in the state—suggest modest first-year earnings of $46,439 against $27,000 in likely debt. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress, and the figures align closely with what the field delivers nationally. Special education typically provides steady employment with clear certification pathways, which matters when starting salaries won't generate quick financial wins.

What's harder to assess is where Augustana specifically fits among South Dakota's nine programs offering this major. The state's top-performing program at Black Hills State produces graduates earning around $49,000—about $2,600 more than these estimates suggest for Augustana—while Dakota State sits at $42,000. Without actual outcomes data for Augustana's graduates, you're working with reasonable state averages but no certainty about whether this particular program outperforms or underperforms its peers. The school's 59% admission rate and limited Pell Grant population (16%) suggest a different student profile than some state universities, which could influence both support services and post-graduation networks.

For a career requiring patience and long-term commitment over immediate financial returns, these estimated numbers show manageable debt rather than a windfall. The uncertainty lies in whether Augustana's specific program justifies its cost compared to clearer performers like Black Hills State, especially when the outcomes data remains suppressed.