Special Education and Teaching at Rockhurst University

A bachelor's in special education from Rockhurst comes with an estimated $30,051 in debt—about $3,800 more than the state median for this field. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 stays within manageable territory, the cost premium raises questions given that first-year earnings from comparable Missouri programs cluster tightly around $37,450. That means Rockhurst graduates would likely start at roughly the same salary as peers from Missouri State or Southeast Missouri State, but with noticeably higher loan burdens to service.

The bigger concern is how Missouri's special education salaries lag nationally. Similar programs across the country typically produce median earnings of $44,139—nearly $7,000 more than what Missouri programs suggest. This gap likely reflects the state's teacher salary structures rather than any particular school's quality, but it matters for the debt calculation. Paying off $30,000 on a $37,450 salary requires different financial discipline than the same debt against $44,000 in earnings. The 69% admission rate and solid SAT average indicate Rockhurst serves capable students, but private school costs don't translate to salary advantages in a field where public school districts largely set the compensation floor.

If your child is committed to teaching special education in Missouri, the debt load here is workable but not competitive with lower-cost state options. If they're open to teaching elsewhere after graduation, research starting salaries in those specific states before committing to Rockhurst's price point.