Special Education and Teaching at Franklin University

Ohio's special education programs cluster tightly around $41,000-$42,000 in first-year earnings, and Franklin's estimated figures place it squarely in that range. With projected debt of $27,000—just above the state median—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 suggests manageable repayment for a field with relatively stable, if modest, starting salaries. Similar programs across Ohio show remarkably consistent outcomes, whether at larger state universities or smaller private institutions, which adds some confidence to these estimates even though Franklin's actual graduate data isn't available.

The challenge is the same across special education programs statewide: you're looking at roughly $41,000 to start, well below the national median of $44,139. Ohio simply pays special educators less than many other states, meaning even graduates from top programs like Ohio State start only about $4,000 higher than the state average. Franklin's 33% Pell grant population suggests the program serves students who may particularly feel the squeeze of moderate debt against below-average educator salaries.

Before committing, confirm that Ohio teacher salaries in your target district align with these projections and that licensure requirements match what Franklin provides. The program appears financially viable with debt that's proportionate to expected earnings, but special education rarely offers dramatic salary growth, so that first-year number matters more than in other fields.