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Special Education and Teaching at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,807/yr (-12% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)

ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #133 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	$454K	$458K	$446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.9x	10.0x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.2x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	81%	73%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,744

Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$43,664

5% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

8.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,807/yr, roughly in line with the $44,105 national median for Special Education and Teaching. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 10.0x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$38,807 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #133 out of 170 programs, Western Kentucky University's financial outcomes for Special Education and Teaching trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western 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 Western 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 Western Kentucky University's Special Education and Teaching program score?

This program scores 36/100 — 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 →