Special Education and Teaching at DePaul University

Special education teachers in Illinois typically start around $46,000, and DePaul's program appears to track with that state median based on comparable programs. The estimated $25,000 debt load—slightly higher than the typical Illinois special ed graduate but below the national average—translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning manageable monthly payments relative to starting salary. For a field with clear teacher shortage areas and fairly predictable compensation, this financial picture is workable.

What's harder to assess is whether DePaul delivers the same value as Illinois' public universities, where reported outcomes show similar or higher earnings with typically lower debt. Schools like Illinois State ($48,358) and Northern Illinois ($46,578) produce graduates earning in the same range, often at lower cost to families. The lack of reported data for DePaul's specific program means parents can't see how their graduates actually perform—a transparency gap that matters when comparable options have documented track records.

The field itself offers stability: special education positions remain in demand across Illinois, with structured salary schedules that provide predictable growth. If your child is committed to special education and DePaul's urban Chicago location offers unique practicum opportunities or fits their learning style, the estimated debt level won't be crushing. Just recognize you're making this decision with peer-program estimates rather than DePaul's actual graduate outcomes, and less expensive in-state options exist with proven results.