Special Education and Teaching at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,547/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 7.9x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #156 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) 7.8x 7.9x 7.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,455
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,239
12% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,547/yr, Special Education and Teaching graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia land near the $44,105 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,455 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,547 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #156 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs, University of Missouri-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $42,239 are relatively flat compared to the $37,547 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

With 77% of applicants admitted, University of Missouri-Columbia prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 23,118 students in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 Missouri-Columbia

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at University of Missouri-Columbia?
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 $437,552 in decade earnings vs $442,026 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →