Special Education and Teaching at University of St Francis

University of St Francis graduates earn slightly above the national benchmark for special education teachers, but lag behind the typical Illinois program by about $900. Within a state known for relatively strong teacher salaries, this ranking at the 40th percentile among 30 programs means graduates are earning less than most of their in-state peers—including those from public universities like Illinois State ($48,358) and Western Illinois ($46,729) who likely paid lower tuition.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $23,500, graduates owe roughly $300 more than the Illinois median but carry less debt than the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means manageable first-year payments, though that calculation assumes the higher starting salaries that teaching positions typically offer. Special education roles tend to provide stable, if modest, income growth over time.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these figures could shift considerably year to year. For parents considering this program, the key question is whether paying private tuition makes sense when Illinois public universities offer stronger earning outcomes in the same field. Unless St Francis provides specific advantages—smaller class sizes, better student teaching placements, or scholarship aid that narrows the cost gap—the data suggests looking at the state's public options first.