Special Education and Teaching at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metro State Denver's Special Education program produces teachers earning $39,638 in their first year—below both the national median ($44,139) and most Colorado peers. While this lands at the 40th percentile statewide, the program trails University of Northern Colorado by over $4,000 annually. The modest debt load of $20,027 (well below the $26,717 national average) keeps the financial picture manageable, with graduates owing just six months of first-year salary.

The earnings trajectory shows steady improvement, reaching $45,385 by year four—a 15% increase that actually surpasses the state median. This suggests teachers who stick with the profession see meaningful salary growth as they gain experience and move up district pay scales. The university's 99% admission rate and large Pell Grant population (35%) indicate this program serves many first-generation and lower-income students entering a stable, if modestly-paid, profession.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from a very small sample of graduates (under 30), making them less reliable than data from larger programs. For parents whose child is committed to special education teaching in Colorado, the low debt justifies the modest starting salary. Just understand you're looking at one of the more affordable—but not highest-earning—pathways into this essential field.