Special Education and Teaching at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The estimated $26,000 debt load for this program sits well above the typical $19,400 carried by special education graduates from Tennessee programs, though the projected first-year salary of around $44,400 aligns closely with what similar programs across the state produce. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary—manageable for a teaching credential, but the higher borrowing compared to in-state peers deserves attention when Tennessee has 26 programs producing similar outcomes at lower debt levels.

What tempers concern is the four-year earnings figure of $44,559, which shows remarkable stability. Teaching salaries follow predictable schedules, and these numbers—drawn from peer programs in Tennessee—suggest graduates enter a reliable if modest pay structure typical of public education. The national benchmark of $44,139 confirms this program tracks with special education outcomes nationwide, not just regionally.

For families choosing UTK specifically for its reputation or campus experience, this path makes sense: you're looking at typical special education teacher earnings with somewhat elevated but still reasonable debt. However, if cost is the primary concern, scrutinize those other Tennessee programs that appear to produce similar career outcomes with $6,000-7,000 less in borrowing. The teaching credential itself matters more than the university name on it in this field.