Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Median Earnings (1yr)

$51,664

95th percentile

60th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$29,737

11% above national median

Analysis

Millersville graduates some of the highest-earning special education teachers in the country—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally—but the unusual earnings trajectory deserves scrutiny. First-year teachers earn $51,664, placing them among top earners in Pennsylvania as well, but by year four salaries drop to $46,704. This decline likely reflects district placement patterns or changes in teaching assignments rather than career stagnation, since special education teacher salaries typically follow union-negotiated scales that increase over time.

The debt picture is notably favorable: $29,737 represents the 6th percentile nationally (meaning 94% of programs leave students with more debt), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58. This positions graduates to handle loan payments comfortably even with the year-four earnings dip. Among Pennsylvania's 38 special education programs, Millersville sits solidly in the middle for earnings while maintaining below-average debt—a combination that's harder to find than it might seem.

The real question is what drives that earnings drop. If it's temporary (like changing districts or taking time off), Millersville's strong starting salaries and low debt create flexibility. If it's structural, the program still delivers competitive lifetime earnings for teaching. Either way, the combination of strong initial placement and manageable debt makes this a sensible investment for students committed to special education careers in Pennsylvania.

Where Millersville University of Pennsylvania Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Millersville University of Pennsylvania graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Millersville University of Pennsylvania	$51,664	$46,704	-10%
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania	$50,327	$51,821	+3%
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania	$50,645	$49,619	-2%
York College of Pennsylvania	$52,199	$48,651	-7%
Lebanon Valley College	$51,415	$45,900	-11%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (38 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville	$12,262	$51,664	$46,704	$29,737	0.58
York College of PennsylvaniaYork	$24,606	$52,199	$48,651	$27,000	0.52
Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville	$50,320	$51,415	$45,900	$27,000	0.53
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia	$51,340	$50,698	—	$27,000	0.53
Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown	$11,230	$50,645	$49,619	$27,000	0.53
East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg	$11,036	$50,327	$51,821	$27,000	0.54
National Median	—	$44,139	—	$26,717	0.61

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 Millersville University of Pennsylvania, approximately 27% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 99 graduates with reported earnings and 110 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.