Special Education and Teaching at Boise State University

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes it hard to draw firm conclusions, but the available data suggests Boise State's special education program tracks closely with state and national norms—neither standing out positively nor raising red flags. Graduates earn about $42,300 in their first year, slightly below both the national median ($44,139) and Idaho's state average ($42,778), placing them around the 40th percentile statewide. The debt load of $26,675 is exactly Idaho's median for this field, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63.

For special education teachers—whose salaries are typically set by district pay scales rather than individual negotiation—these modest differences may matter less than they would in other fields. The real question is whether your child can secure a teaching position quickly after graduation, since employment timing affects the practical value of any education degree more than slight salary variations. Boise State's high admission rate (84%) suggests accessibility, though the low Pell grant percentage (18%) may indicate fewer support services than you'd find elsewhere.

If you're comparing Idaho options, BYU-Idaho's graduates earn about $1,000 more annually—a negligible difference that could easily reflect geographic placement rather than program quality. Given the limited data and the similarity across Idaho programs, your decision should weigh teaching credential reputation and student teaching placement opportunities as much as these earnings figures.