Compare 22 Special Education and Teaching. programs in the West. Average earnings: $46,075.
Special Education and Teaching programs produce graduates earning between $35,772 and $58,469—a $23K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 22 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Western Washington University's Special Education program leads with graduates earning $58,469, well above the regional average of $46,075. Gonzaga University follows at $57,391, while Central Washington University rounds out the top three at $57,325—proving that public regional universities compete directly with private institutions in this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Western Washington University graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 7.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Utah Valley University leads with a 12.6% family burden, keeping total debt manageable for most households.
Highest program earnings: $58,469
Strong outcomes with 91% acceptance
7.1% payment burden | Excellent
12.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $58,469 | 85 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $57,391 | 19 | $24,454 | Good | $37,652 | High |
| #3 | $57,325 | 11 | $19,500 | Excellent | $22,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $56,026 | 26 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,988 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $54,887 | 14 | $19,500 | Good | $17,148 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Nevada State UniversityPublic | $53,159 | 26 | $19,691 | Good | $12,146 | Manageable |
| #7 | $51,927 | 35 | $19,450 | Good | $20,906 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $50,647 | 19 | $14,750 | Excellent | $9,582 | Manageable |
| #9 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $49,647 | 88 | $14,340 | Excellent | $13,923 | Manageable |
| #10 | $47,304 | 83 | $19,500 | Good | $23,519 | High | |
| #11 | $45,862 | 46 | $17,095 | Good | $10,166 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $45,385 | 10 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $45,211 | 48 | $20,470 | Manageable | $22,566 | High | |
| #14 | $44,690 | 108 | $19,000 | Good | $23,489 | High | |
| #15 | $43,252 | 35 | $13,969 | Good | $7,556 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $41,299 | 19 | $18,450 | Manageable | $13,000 | Challenging | |
| #17 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $40,716 | 42 | $19,620 | Manageable | $30,126 | High |
| #18 | $40,033 | 15 | $28,312 | Challenging | $15,000 | High | |
| #19 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $36,162 | 35 | $11,069 | Good | $9,699 | Challenging |
| #20 | Boise State UniversityPublic | $35,772 | 22 | $20,500 | Challenging | $18,968 | High |
| #21 | $32,711 | 13 | $11,399 | Manageable | $9,350 | High | |
| #22 | $25,774 | 8 | $18,209 | High | $10,259 | 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 →
