Bachelor's-11% vs national median264 grads tracked
Special Education and Teaching at Western Carolina University
Ranked 114th of 138 bachelor's programs in Special Education and Teaching by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$44,839
middle 50%: $40,537 – $50,743
Median · 5 years out
$49,774
middle 50%: $45,657 – $55,935
Median · 10 years out
$57,590
middle 50%: $49,464 – $65,240
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Special Education and Teaching (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Special Education and Teaching bachelor's graduates at Western Carolina University earn $45k in year 1. Median salaries reach $58k after ten years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
7.9 yrs
≈ $8,724 total interest
Same major at other universities
Appalachian State University
$50,647 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Indiana
$50,605 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$50,031 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
$49,997 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$49,949 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$49,932 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$49,677 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$49,654 · 5 yrs out
Northern State University
$49,603 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern State University
$49,561 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$49,480 · 5 yrs out
East Central University
$49,269 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$79,484 · 5 yrs out