Compare 9 Special Education and Teaching. programs in Wisconsin. Average earnings: $43,686.
The highest-earning Special Education and Teaching program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $11K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Special Education and Teaching program leads with graduates earning $48,378. Close behind, UW-Madison produces graduates earning $47,683, while UW-Whitewater rounds out the top three at $47,106. The average across all Wisconsin programs is $43,686, showing how the top performers cluster together despite different admission selectivity.
For families, the math changes significantly. UW-Milwaukee offers manageable student debt with a 12.2% payment burden, but when parent loans are included, families face a 22.1% burden. UW-Madison graduates borrow $20,484 in student loans with an 11.2% burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category for individual students.
Highest program earnings: $48,378
Strong outcomes with 88% acceptance
11.2% payment burden | Good
22.1% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $48,378 | 19 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $47,683 | 51 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #3 | $47,106 | 48 | $23,188 | Manageable | $18,635 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $44,253 | 84 | $20,909 | Manageable | $12,452 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $43,911 | 14 | $26,000 | Manageable | $42,940 | High |
| #6 | $43,211 | 58 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,500 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $40,896 | 23 | $23,000 | Manageable | $11,000 | High | |
| #8 | $40,741 | 32 | $21,503 | Manageable | $14,012 | High | |
| #9 | $36,992 | 15 | $25,750 | Challenging | $24,831 | 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 →
