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Special Education and Teaching at University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,365/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)

ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #155 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	$424K	$431K	$425K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	11.1x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.9x	6.0x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	81%	73%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,956

Out-of-state: $72,256 (6.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,344

-57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,500

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$40,190

11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $36,365/yr fall 18% below the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.1x 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 -0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,365 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #155 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, University of Central Missouri falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $40,190 are relatively flat compared to the $36,365 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Central Missouri

With a 69% acceptance rate, University of Central Missouri is moderately selective, enrolling 5,653 students in Warrensburg, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Central Missouri →

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 University of Central Missouri

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 University of Central Missouri?

A score of 31/100 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 $424,681 in decade earnings vs $424,043 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Special Education and Teaching from University of Central Missouri?

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 →