Special Education and Teaching at University of Tulsa

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is manageable for a teaching credential, especially given that special education teachers often qualify for loan forgiveness programs. Similar programs nationally suggest graduates can expect around $44,000 in first-year earnings, though comparable programs in Oklahoma trend slightly higher at $46,000. At an estimated $27,000 in debt, this program appears positioned in line with national norms for special education degrees—the borrowed amount roughly tracks with what graduates typically take on at similar institutions.

The challenge is that we're working with estimates here since the actual graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report specific outcomes. That means your actual results could vary from these peer-based projections. What we do know is that University of Tulsa draws academically stronger students than most public teaching colleges (average SAT of 1325), and special education typically offers steadier employment prospects than general education roles. The relatively low percentage of Pell students (26%) suggests families here may have more resources to supplement or reduce borrowing.

The practical takeaway: if your child is committed to special education and you can keep debt at or below this $27,000 estimate, the numbers work. But confirm the actual cost of attendance and available scholarships before assuming this estimated debt figure applies to your situation.