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Special Education and Teaching at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,174/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #25 of 170 Special Education and Teaching programs Top 25%

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 $546K $541K $512K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.1x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 81% 73% 58%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,063
10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $50,174/yr, edging above the $44,105 national average for Special Education and Teaching — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.1x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,500 in median debt against $50,174 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #25 of 170 nationally, this is a top-5% Special Education and Teaching program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $55,063 are relatively flat compared to the $50,174 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

With a 43% acceptance rate, University of Wisconsin-Madison is moderately selective, serving a student body of 35,665 in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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

Compare this program → View all 170 schools offering Special Education and Teaching →

Special Education and Teaching at Other Schools

Pace University ($62,346) Utah State University ($61,474) University of Hawaii at Manoa ($60,396) Florida Atlantic University ($56,009) Syracuse University ($55,881) Miami Dade College ($53,935) Towson University ($53,331) Nevada State University ($53,159)

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chemical Engineering ($85,945) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,260) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,018) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,566) Industrial Engineering ($80,435) Insurance ($78,796) Materials Engineering ($76,662) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,513)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Special Education and Teaching trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 54/100 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 $511,907 in decade earnings vs $545,900 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Special Education and Teaching program stand out?
Ranked #25 of 170 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →