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Special Education at Western Michigan University

If you are interested in studying Special Education, take a look at what Western Michigan University. Get started with the following essential facts.

Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI.

In the most recent year for which we have data, 67 special education degrees were granted at Western Michigan University.

Online Class Availability at Western Michigan University

Distance learning is available at Western Michigan University. Of 16,744 students, 2,238 (13%) were enrolled entirely in distance education and 7,676 (46%) took at least some classes online.

Special Education Rankings at Western Michigan University

Rankings can help you compare Western Michigan University’s Special Education program against other schools offering the same major.

Master’s-Level Rankings

Ranking	Scope	Rank
Best Value	Michigan	#9 of 12
Best Schools (Quality)	Michigan	#10 of 12
Best Value	Great Lakes (Region)	#50 of 73
Best Schools (Quality)	Great Lakes (Region)	#60 of 73
Best Value	Nationwide	#320 of 486
Best Schools (Quality)	Nationwide	#416 of 491

Doctoral-Level Rankings

Ranking	Scope	Rank
Best Value	Michigan	#9 of 12
Best Schools (Quality)	Michigan	#10 of 12
Best Value	Great Lakes (Region)	#50 of 73
Best Schools (Quality)	Great Lakes (Region)	#60 of 73
Best Value	Nationwide	#320 of 486
Best Schools (Quality)	Nationwide	#416 of 491

Earnings for Special Education Graduates from Western Michigan University

Those who finish Western Michigan University’s Special Education program earn at the following median levels (per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard):

Years After Graduation	Median Earnings
1 year	$48,816
2 years	$48,096
3 years	$50,270
4 years	$51,299
5 years	$56,138

How does this compare to the school overall? Four years out, Special Education graduates from Western Michigan University report median earnings of $51,299, compared with $58,084 for all Western Michigan University graduates — about 12% lower than the school-wide median.

Median Debt at Graduation

Typical debt at graduation for Special Education graduates from Western Michigan University stands at $31,000.

Student Demographics & Diversity

Below you’ll find the diversity of Special Education graduates at Western Michigan University, by degree type.

Across all degree levels, Special Education graduates at Western Michigan University are 84% women (56) and 16% men (11).

Special Education Bachelor’s Program at Western Michigan University

Among the 16 bachelor’s special education degrees awarded at Western Michigan University, 100% were women (16) and 0% were men (0).

The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Special Education bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University.

Race / Ethnicity	Number of Graduates
White	14
Hispanic / Latino	1
American Indian / Alaska Native	1

Racial-ethnic minorities make up 12% of Special Education bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University, below the national average of 20%.*

Special Education Master’s Program at Western Michigan University

Among the 49 master’s special education degrees awarded at Western Michigan University, 78% were women (38) and 22% were men (11).

The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Special Education master’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University.

Race / Ethnicity	Number of Graduates
White	35
Hispanic / Latino	3
Black / African American	7
Two or More Races	1
International (Nonresident)	1
Unknown	2

Minority students account for 22% of Special Education master’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University, lower than the national average of 33%.*

Special Education Doctoral Program at Western Michigan University

Of the 2 doctoral special education degrees awarded at Western Michigan University, 100% were women (2) and 0% were men (0).

The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Special Education doctoral degree recipients at Western Michigan University.

Race / Ethnicity	Number of Graduates
White	1
Black / African American	1

Minority students account for 50% of Special Education doctoral degree recipients at Western Michigan University, above the national average of 19%.*

*The racial-ethnic minorities figure is the total number of graduates minus White, international (nonresident), and unknown-race graduates.

More Specific Special Education Concentrations at Western Michigan University

This Special Education program at Western Michigan University includes the following sub-specializations:

Concentration	Graduates
General Special Education	26
Teaching for Visually Impaired	23
Teaching for Learning Disabilities	16
Other Special Education & Teaching	2

Top-Paying Careers for Special Education Graduates

Students who finish Special Education program at Western Michigan University go on to a range of careers. Below are the highest-paying careers for Special Education majors, ordered by median annual salary:

Occupation	Nationwide Median Wage
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$98,329
Teaching Assistants, Special Education	$96,801
Special Education Teachers, All Other	$86,208
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	$80,694
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$79,680
Adapted Physical Education Specialists	$77,976
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten	$73,597
Interpreters and Translators	$52,627
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School	$50,045
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	$35,173

References

• IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
• U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
• O*NET Online (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• National Center for Education Statistics

More about our data sources and methodologies.