Special Education and Teaching at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's special education program starts strong but shows a puzzling earnings trajectory: graduates earn $47,017 in their first year—putting them in the 67th percentile nationally and ahead of most Nebraska programs—but median earnings actually drop to $44,358 by year four. This decline could reflect career transitions, advanced degree pursuit, or simply the timing of when graduates report their earnings, but it's worth understanding before committing.

The financial fundamentals look solid. At $27,000 in median debt, graduates are borrowing less than three-quarters of their entry-level teaching salary, which is manageable on an educator's income. This debt load matches both the national and Nebraska medians exactly, while the program's earnings surpass both benchmarks. Among the 13 Nebraska schools training special educators, UNL ranks in the 60th percentile—notably ahead of UN-Omaha's $37,998 despite similar debt levels.

For a family considering this program, the value proposition centers on early earning power with reasonable debt. The salary decline after year one deserves a conversation with program advisors about typical career paths, but the starting position is strong enough to make this a viable option for students committed to special education. Nebraska residents especially benefit from competitive in-state tuition at a flagship university that outperforms most state alternatives.