Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,362
31st percentile
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$26,950
1% above national median

Analysis

Ohio University-Chillicothe's Special Education program operates in a manageable financial zone, but parents should know they're looking at limited data—fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings. That said, the $26,950 debt load is reasonable, translating to roughly $300 monthly payments, and graduates earn enough in their first year ($41,362) to handle those obligations without strain. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold that financial aid counselors watch for.

Here's the reality check: this program sits exactly at Ohio's median for special education earnings, outperforming 60% of in-state options despite trailing the national average by about $2,800. If your child plans to teach in Ohio schools—where most special education teachers stay—that state-level comparison matters more than national rankings. The top Ohio programs at University of Dayton and Ohio State earn only $3,000-4,000 more annually, a gap that narrows further when you factor in potentially higher debt at those institutions.

The modest 4% earnings growth over four years is typical for teaching positions with standardized pay scales. Your child won't see dramatic salary jumps, but they'll have stable, predictable income and strong job security—Ohio consistently faces special education teacher shortages. For families prioritizing affordability and local employment, this program delivers what it promises without financial gymnastics.

Where Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus$41,362$42,847+4%
University of Dayton$45,260$44,985-1%
University of Toledo$40,952$44,030+8%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$45,213$43,720-3%
Miami University-Oxford$41,871$43,240+3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (43 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe$6,178$41,362$42,847$26,9500.65
University of DaytonDayton$47,600$45,260$44,985$20,6120.46
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$45,213$43,720$26,8990.59
Capital UniversityColumbus$41,788$42,709$40,804$27,0000.63
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$42,347$25,0460.59
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$41,871$43,240$27,0000.64
National Median$44,139$26,7170.61

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 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus, approximately 16% 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 27 graduates with reported earnings and 36 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.