Special Education and Teaching at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,783/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #149 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Special Education and Teaching graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $455K $458K $447K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 15.1x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.9x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,702
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Sacramento's Special Education and Teaching graduates start at $33,783/yr, trailing the $44,105 national average by 23%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Special Education and Teaching programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Special Education and Teaching's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,500 in median debt clears quickly against $33,783 in annual earnings.

Ranked #149 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, California State University-Sacramento falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $33,783 to $42,702 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Sacramento

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Sacramento is accessible to most applicants, with 27,867 students enrolled in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Sacramento →

Top Career Paths

Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090/yr
Special education teachers, secondary school $69,590/yr
Special education teachers, all other $67,430/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Special Education and Teaching at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at California State University-Sacramento?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Special Education and Teaching careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $446,707 in decade earnings vs $454,813 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Special Education and Teaching from California State University-Sacramento?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →