Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Cleveland State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,362

Est. from OH median (21 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,950

Est. from OH median (15 programs)

Analysis

Based on similar special education programs across Ohio, Cleveland State graduates can expect to enter the field earning around $41,000—slightly below the national median but typical for the state. Special education teachers in Ohio generally start at this level regardless of where they earn their degree, though graduates from schools like Dayton and Ohio State push closer to $45,000. At an estimated debt load of $27,000, the financial picture is manageable, with borrowers facing debt equal to roughly eight months of first-year salary.

The real question is whether Cleveland State's accessible admissions (95% acceptance rate) translates to solid teacher preparation. Special education is a field where certification requirements and student teaching experiences matter more than institutional prestige, and Ohio desperately needs qualified special education teachers. What you're paying for here isn't a name brand—it's entry into a stable profession with strong demand and benefits.

For families where a student is committed to teaching and Cleveland State's location and affordability work logistically, the estimated debt burden won't be crushing. Just recognize that these figures are extrapolated from peer programs, not Cleveland State's actual graduate outcomes. If your child is uncertain about the teaching path or considering graduate school immediately after, that changes the calculation—but for someone ready to start teaching, this appears workable within Ohio's typical range.

Where Cleveland State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all special education and teaching bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (43 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Cleveland State UniversityCleveland	$12,613	$41,362*	—	$26,950*	—
University of DaytonDayton	$47,600	$45,260*	$44,985	$20,612*	0.46
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$45,213*	$43,720	$26,899*	0.59
Capital UniversityColumbus	$41,788	$42,709*	$40,804	$27,000*	0.63
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati	$13,570	$42,347*	—	$25,046*	0.59
Miami University-OxfordOxford	$17,809	$41,871*	$43,240	$27,000*	0.64
National Median	—	$44,139*	—	$26,717*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with special education and teaching graduates

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Special Education Teachers, Preschool

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, All Other

All special education teachers not listed separately.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Adapted Physical Education Specialists

Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.

$64,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

Teach academic, social, and life skills to kindergarten students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Special Education Teachers, Elementary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Cleveland State University, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 21 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.