Special Education and Teaching at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,185/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 16.2x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #44 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 50%

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 $475K $477K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.1x 16.2x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,018
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,759
6% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $44,185/yr, roughly in line with the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.2x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,018 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,185 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #44 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, East Carolina University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,759 are relatively flat compared to the $44,185 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About East Carolina University

East Carolina University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 19,857 in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina University →

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 East Carolina University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at East Carolina University?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Special Education and Teaching field.
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 $461,411 in decade earnings vs $475,357 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →