Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Siena Heights University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$46,522

Est. from MI median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Michigan's special education programs cluster tightly in the mid-$40,000s, and comparable programs in the state suggest Siena Heights graduates would land right in that range at roughly $46,500. This puts the program on par with the state median—not ahead of public universities like Grand Valley or Western Michigan, but competitive with similar regional institutions.

The estimated $27,000 debt load works out to about seven months of first-year salary, which is manageable compared to many teaching fields where debt ratios climb higher. Similar programs nationally carry about the same debt burden ($26,717), though Michigan programs typically show higher debt at $30,675. Special education teachers face real financial constraints early in their careers, but this particular debt-to-earnings profile suggests monthly loan payments that won't overwhelm an entry-level teaching salary.

The key uncertainty here is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Siena Heights' own graduates. For a specialized field like special education where teacher shortages often drive hiring and compensation, local district relationships and placement support matter enormously. If Siena Heights connects graduates to districts with competitive pay and benefits, this program could deliver on its estimated value. If not, you're looking at typical new-teacher finances with no clear advantage over less expensive state school options.

Where Siena Heights University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (20 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Siena Heights UniversityAdrian	$29,778	$46,522*	—	$27,000*	—
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale	$14,628	$49,494*	—	$30,350*	0.61
Hope CollegeHolland	$40,420	$48,630*	—	—*	—
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo	$15,298	$47,868*	$43,549	$31,000*	0.65
Concordia University Ann ArborAnn Arbor	$34,200	$47,295*	—	—*	—
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant	$14,190	$46,522*	$43,515	$31,000*	0.67
National Median	—	$44,139*	—	$26,717*	0.61

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Siena Heights University, approximately 31% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.