Special Education and Teaching at University of Dayton

University of Dayton's special education program delivers outcomes that edge above both state and national averages, though the numbers come from a small graduating class that warrants caution. At $45,260 in first-year earnings, graduates outpace Ohio's median for special education teachers by nearly $4,000 and rank in the 60th percentile statewide—placing them among the top third of Ohio programs. More importantly, they graduate with just $20,612 in debt, roughly $6,000 below the state median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46.

The flat earnings trajectory between years one and four is typical for teaching positions with standardized salary schedules, where pay increases happen incrementally based on experience and additional credentials rather than dramatic jumps. What matters more here is the starting position: graduates begin their careers earning competitively while carrying notably less debt than peers at most Ohio programs.

The small sample size means any single year's data could swing significantly, so verify these patterns hold if more recent cohorts become available. But the combination of above-average starting pay and below-average debt suggests Dayton positions its special education graduates reasonably well for a field where financial security depends more on controlling costs than chasing high salaries.