Est. Earnings (1yr)
$46,439
Est. from SD median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable special education programs across South Dakota, this bachelor's degree appears to position graduates near the middle of the state's range, with estimated first-year earnings around $46,400. That figure sits comfortably above the national median for special education teachers while matching what other South Dakota programs typically produce. The estimated $27,000 debt load—derived from national patterns at similar private institutions—translates to a 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable for a teaching credential where salaries follow predictable public school scales.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With University of Sioux Falls having too few recent graduates in this program to report actual outcomes, you're relying on what peer programs suggest rather than what this school definitively delivers. South Dakota's special education programs show a $7,000 spread between top and bottom performers, and it's unclear where USF actually falls. The school's 82% admission rate and 29% Pell enrollment suggest accessibility, but that doesn't tell you whether their education graduates secure competitive positions or struggle relative to graduates from Black Hills State or USD.

If your child is committed to teaching special education in South Dakota, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable economics—but you're making that investment without seeing this specific program's track record. Before committing, ask USF directly about job placement rates and where their graduates teach, since those concrete outcomes matter more than estimated averages when the actual data remains hidden.

Where University of Sioux Falls Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in South Dakota

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Dakota (9 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls$20,740$46,439*—$27,000*—
Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish$9,000$49,134*$43,683$26,812*0.55
University of South DakotaVermillion$9,432$46,439*$39,798$27,000*0.58
Dakota State UniversityMadison$9,633$42,318*—$31,000*0.73
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 University of Sioux Falls, approximately 29% 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 3 similar programs in SD. Actual outcomes may vary.