Special Education and Teaching at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods graduates start at $41,943—already below the Indiana median of $45,802—and then see earnings drop 7% by year four. Among Indiana's 17 special education programs, this lands in the 40th percentile, trailing not just the flagship universities but also regional competitors like University of Southern Indiana. The state's top programs consistently deliver $45,000+ in first-year earnings; here, graduates are earning less than that even after four years in the field.

The debt picture offers modest relief: at $23,252, borrowing sits right at the Indiana median and below the national average. The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable for a teaching career, though it would be more compelling if earnings were growing rather than contracting. With half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are stretching financially to attend, making the earnings trajectory particularly concerning.

For an anxious parent considering this program, the question is straightforward: why pay private college tuition for below-median outcomes? If your child is set on special education in Indiana, Ball State delivers $47,500 in first-year earnings—14% more than this program—likely at a lower in-state cost. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods may offer smaller classes and community, but those advantages need to justify both the opportunity cost and the downward earnings trend that begins immediately after graduation.