Special Education and Teaching at Vincennes University

Vincennes University's special education program graduates earn around $40,000 annually—below both the state median ($45,800) and national average ($44,100)—with no earnings growth between years one and four. That's a significant gap: graduates from Indiana University-Bloomington's program earn $51,300, while even nearby University of Southern Indiana produces $44,100 earners. The program lands at the 40th percentile among Indiana special education programs, meaning 60% of similar in-state options deliver better financial outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $21,710, graduates borrow less than both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. For a field as mission-driven as special education, where salary isn't the primary draw, this matters. Teachers can realistically pay down this debt while living on a starting teacher's salary.

However, the very small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers unreliable as predictors of future outcomes. If your child is committed to special education and Vincennes offers compelling advantages—proximity to home, smaller class sizes, or transfer pathways—the manageable debt keeps it viable. But purely on earnings potential, the state's public universities consistently deliver $5,000-$11,000 more in annual income, which compounds significantly over a teaching career.