Special Education and Teaching at Westfield State University

Westfield State's special education program lands squarely in the middle of Massachusetts offerings—at the 40th percentile statewide—but trails both state and national medians by about $4,000-5,000 in first-year earnings. That gap matters when you're starting at just over $40,000, though the $27,000 debt burden is entirely manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67. Compare this to Bridgewater State, where graduates earn nearly $10,000 more right out of the gate.

The 12% earnings growth over four years is solid, bringing graduates to $45,141, which essentially matches the state median. Special education teachers often see steady salary progression through union contracts, so this trajectory makes sense. The moderate sample size suggests consistent placement, likely in Massachusetts public schools where starting salaries vary by district.

For families prioritizing affordability and keeping debt low, this program delivers on that front—you're looking at typical debt levels for education majors. But if maximizing early earnings matters, particularly given the reality of teacher salaries, it's worth comparing offers from other Massachusetts state schools. Westfield gets you licensed and employed without crushing debt, though it won't give your child a salary advantage in what's already a modestly-paid field.