Compare 8 Special Education and Teaching. programs in Tennessee. Average earnings: $39,626.
Special Education and Teaching programs produce graduates earning between $33,138 and $44,559—an $11K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 8 ranked programs in Tennessee, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Special Education program leads with graduates earning $44,559, well above the $39,626 state average. Middle Tennessee State University follows at $41,658, showing that accessible programs (68% admission rate) can compete with selective ones (46% admission rate) in actual career outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UT-Knoxville graduates borrow $20,500 and face a 12.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. For families, Middle Tennessee State offers better value with a 26.1% family burden compared to UT-Knoxville's 34.7%, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $44,559
Strong outcomes with 68% acceptance
12.8% payment burden | Manageable
26.1% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $44,559 | 26 | $20,500 | Manageable | $30,610 | High | |
| #2 | $41,658 | 17 | $20,000 | Manageable | $14,229 | High | |
| #3 | University Of MemphisPublic | $41,006 | 52 | $23,300 | Manageable | $15,393 | High |
| #4 | $40,929 | 10 | $20,547 | Manageable | $14,710 | High | |
| #5 | $39,564 | 10 | $19,442 | Manageable | $16,938 | High | |
| #6 | Lee UniversityPrivate | $39,099 | 6 | $25,750 | Challenging | $24,000 | High |
| #7 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | $37,054 | 22 | $21,500 | Challenging | $17,541 | High |
| #8 | $33,138 | 11 | $15,650 | Challenging | $11,640 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
