Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,362
31st percentile (60th in OH)
Median Debt
$26,950
1% above national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.65
Manageable
Sample Size
27
Limited data

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

Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusOther special education and teaching programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

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

Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus graduates earn $41k, placing them in the 31th percentile of all special education and teaching bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

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

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus$41,362$42,847$26,9500.65
University of Dayton$45,260$44,985$20,6120.46
Ohio State University-Main Campus$45,213$43,720$26,8990.59
Capital University$42,709$40,804$27,0000.63
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus$42,347—$25,0460.59
Miami University-Oxford$41,871$43,240$27,0000.64
National Median$44,139—$26,7170.61

Other Special Education and Teaching Programs in Ohio

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Ohio schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Dayton
Dayton
$47,600$45,260$20,612
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus
$12,859$45,213$26,899
Capital University
Columbus
$41,788$42,709$27,000
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati
$13,570$42,347$25,046
Miami University-Oxford
Oxford
$17,809$41,871$27,000

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.