Special Education and Teaching at Hope College

Holland, MI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
38
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,630/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #122 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 $506K $505K $483K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.1x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 38 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$161,680
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,996
36% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,640
4% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Hope College's Special Education and Teaching graduates start at $48,630/yr — above the $44,105 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 3.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #122 out of 170 programs, Hope College's financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $48,630 to $50,640 over five years (4% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Hope College

A 76% acceptance rate means Hope College is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,274 students in Holland, MI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $102,996 — 36% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hope College →

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 Hope College

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

How does Hope College's Special Education and Teaching program score?
This program scores 38/100 — 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 →