Special Education and Teaching at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's special education program carries a $27,000 debt load—right at the state median—but the earnings picture depends heavily on estimated figures since the school's actual graduate outcomes aren't reported. Similar special education programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $44,000, though Washington programs typically perform better at $47,400, with Western Washington graduates reaching nearly $53,000. By year four, Gonzaga graduates earn $57,391, suggesting meaningful salary growth as teachers gain experience and move up district pay scales.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 looks manageable compared to many fields, and the $27,000 debt burden sits in the lowest quarter nationally for this program type. Special education teachers in Washington benefit from relatively strong public school funding and demand for these specialists, which helps explain the solid four-year earnings figure. The gap between estimated first-year and actual fourth-year earnings ($13,252) reflects typical teacher salary progression rather than program weakness.

For families willing to invest in a private Jesuit education, this program appears workable if the estimated earnings hold true—but that's the key uncertainty. The debt is reasonable, the four-year outcomes are documented and solid, and Washington's teacher salary landscape is relatively favorable. Parents should verify current starting salaries for special education teachers in their target school districts before committing, since the first-year estimate could vary significantly based on where graduates actually find work.