Special Education and Teaching at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,485/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #136 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 $442K $447K $438K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 11.0x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.4x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,375
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,418
10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,485/yr, Special Education and Teaching graduates from Eastern Kentucky University land near the $44,105 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $28,375 debt-to-$38,485 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #136 out of 170 programs, Eastern Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,485 to $42,418 over five years (10% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Eastern Kentucky University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Eastern Kentucky University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky 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

How does Eastern Kentucky University's Special Education and Teaching program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Special Education and Teaching. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Special Education and Teaching to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Special Education and Teaching careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →