Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degree) at Wright State University-Main Campus

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,362

Est. from OH median (21 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,950

Est. from OH median (15 programs)

Analysis

Ohio's special education programs cluster tightly around $41,000-$45,000 in first-year earnings, with Wright State's estimated outcomes landing squarely in the middle of this pack. Similar programs across Ohio suggest starting salaries near $41,400 with debt around $27,000—figures that track closely with national medians for this credential. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio puts graduates in a manageable position, with debt levels representing roughly eight months of first-year income.

What matters here is the field itself more than the specific institution. Special education salaries follow teacher salary schedules that are relatively uniform across districts, which explains why outcomes at Ohio State, University of Dayton, and other programs differ by only a few thousand dollars annually. Wright State's accessible admission standards (95% acceptance rate) make this pathway available to students who might not gain entry to more selective alternatives, yet peer programs suggest they'll enter the same labor market with comparable credentials.

The limitation is that these are estimated figures based on Ohio's broader special education landscape, not Wright State's actual graduate outcomes. If you're committed to teaching special education in Ohio, the financial picture appears stable across programs. The practical question becomes location preference and campus fit rather than chasing marginally higher earnings estimates that may not reflect meaningful differences in this standardized career path.

Where Wright State University-Main Campus Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Special Education and Teaching bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (43 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Wright State University-Main CampusDayton	$11,188	$41,362*	—	$26,950*	—
University of DaytonDayton	$47,600	$45,260*	$44,985	$20,612*	0.46
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus	$12,859	$45,213*	$43,720	$26,899*	0.59
Capital UniversityColumbus	$41,788	$42,709*	$40,804	$27,000*	0.63
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati	$13,570	$42,347*	—	$25,046*	0.59
Miami University-OxfordOxford	$17,809	$41,871*	$43,240	$27,000*	0.64
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 Wright State University-Main Campus, approximately 33% 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 21 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.