Special Education and Teaching at Aurora University

Based on comparable special education programs in Illinois, Aurora graduates likely enter the field earning around $46,200—right at the state median and notably above the national benchmark of $44,100. This suggests the program prepares teachers competitively for Illinois' relatively strong special education market. However, with an estimated $25,000 in debt, the financial picture requires a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning graduates would carry about half a year's salary in loans as they start their teaching careers.

Special education positions typically offer stable employment and loan forgiveness opportunities through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which can substantially improve the economics for teachers who stay in qualifying schools for ten years. The earnings trajectory matters here too: while first-year salaries cluster tightly among Illinois programs (most fall between $46,000-$52,000), teacher pay scales reward longevity, and special education specialists often command premium compensation compared to general classroom teachers.

For families considering Aurora, the key uncertainty is whether this specific program performs at the state median or closer to top performers like U of I ($52,000) or Illinois State ($48,400). The $25,000 debt load is manageable for teaching—below both state and national medians—but only if your child secures a position quickly and commits to the profession long enough for salary increases to improve the debt burden. Ask Aurora directly about their job placement rates and where recent graduates are teaching.