Special Education and Teaching at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green's special education program falls in the bottom fifth nationally for graduate earnings, with first-year teachers making about $38,700—roughly $5,400 below the national median and $2,700 below Ohio's typical starting salary. While the program sits around the middle of Ohio's offerings (40th percentile), that's partly because Ohio's special education market trails the national curve. The top Ohio programs—Ohio State, Dayton, Cincinnati—all place graduates earning $3,600 to $6,600 more annually.

The concerning part isn't just the lower starting point but the stagnation: earnings barely budge over the first four years, growing only 1%. Meanwhile, the $27,000 debt load, though close to state and national medians, means graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70. That's manageable but leaves limited breathing room on a teacher's starting salary, especially compared to programs delivering stronger initial placement outcomes.

If your child is committed to special education teaching in Ohio, this program provides the credential at a reasonable debt level. However, the earnings gap suggests graduates may face tougher initial placements or work in lower-paying districts compared to peers from Ohio State or Dayton. Given the minimal salary progression, those first-year earnings differences tend to persist. Look closely at where Bowling Green places its graduates and whether those districts align with where your child wants to teach—that geography matters more than the modest tuition savings might suggest.