Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Westminster University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$50,489

Est. from UT median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$27,000

Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Westminster's Bachelor's in Special Education carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—notably higher than the $21,642 median for Utah special education programs. Based on comparable programs in Utah, first-year earnings around $50,489 put graduates above the national median for this field but squarely in the middle of Utah's competitive landscape. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means roughly six months of gross income to cover loans, which is manageable but not exceptional given that Utah State graduates in this field reportedly earn over $60,000 their first year.

The challenge here is that special education teaching salaries follow fairly rigid public school pay scales, meaning your initial placement and district matter as much as your degree source. Similar programs in Utah suggest earnings that support the debt load, but Westminster's estimated borrowing exceeds what students at peer institutions typically take on. For a field with well-defined salary structures and strong demand, paying a premium for teacher preparation requires confidence that Westminster's smaller program size and private school environment offer networking or placement advantages that translate into better district placements—something the limited data can't confirm.

If your child is committed to special education in Utah, this program appears financially viable but not obviously superior to the reported outcomes at Utah State or even Utah Valley University, where debt loads run lower.

Where Westminster University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Westminster UniversitySalt Lake City	$41,416	$50,489*	—	$27,000*	—
Utah State UniversityLogan	$9,228	$61,474*	$49,647	$18,125*	0.29
Utah Valley UniversityOrem	$6,270	$50,647*	—	—*	—
Brigham Young UniversityProvo	$6,496	$50,331*	$36,162	—*	—
Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City	$8,300	$46,271*	$45,589	$25,158*	0.54
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 Westminster University, approximately 25% 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 4 similar programs in UT. Actual outcomes may vary.