Special Education and Teaching at Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor graduates this program with relatively low debt—among the lowest 6% nationally—but earnings trail both state and national benchmarks. At $41,324 in the first year, graduates earn about $5,200 less than the Michigan median for special education teachers and nearly $3,000 below the national figure. Among Michigan's 20 programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives deliver higher starting salaries. The state's top programs, including Grand Valley State and Hope College, produce graduates earning $7,000-$8,000 more annually.

The modest debt level does create a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is reasonable for education careers. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this data sample, these numbers may not reliably predict your child's experience. The small cohort size raises questions about program stability and resources.

For parents considering this program, the low debt is genuinely positive, but the earnings gap matters in a field where teachers need every dollar of salary to build financial security. If your child is set on Spring Arbor for fit or mission reasons, this could work—but academically similar students should seriously examine Michigan's larger programs that consistently produce stronger earning outcomes.