Special Education at Western Kentucky University
If you are interested in studying Special Education, you may want to check out the program at Western Kentucky University. The following information will help you decide if it is a good fit for you.
Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY.
During the most recent reporting year, 62 special education degrees were awarded at Western Kentucky University.
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Studying Online at Western Kentucky University
Many students take online classes at Western Kentucky University. Among 16,291 students, 3,505 (22%) were enrolled entirely in distance education and 6,624 (41%) took at least some classes online.
Special Education Rankings at Western Kentucky University
These rankings give you a sense of how Western Kentucky University’s Special Education program against peer institutions.
Bachelor’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Schools (Quality) | Kentucky | #4 of 8 |
| Best Value | Kentucky | #4 of 8 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #24 of 95 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #85 of 96 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #139 of 486 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #447 of 491 |
Master’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Schools (Quality) | Kentucky | #4 of 8 |
| Best Value | Kentucky | #4 of 8 |
| Best Value | Southeast (Region) | #24 of 95 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Southeast (Region) | #85 of 96 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #139 of 486 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #447 of 491 |
Earnings for Special Education Graduates from Western Kentucky University
Those who finish Western Kentucky University’s Special Education program report the following median earnings (per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard):
| Years After Graduation | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,525 |
| 2 years | $38,355 |
| 3 years | $37,944 |
| 4 years | $42,570 |
| 5 years | $48,878 |
How do these earnings stack up against the rest of the school? At the four-year mark, Special Education graduates from Western Kentucky University report median earnings of $42,570, compared with $48,728 for all Western Kentucky University graduates — about 13% lower than the school-wide median.
Median Debt at Graduation
Median student loan debt for Special Education graduates from Western Kentucky University stands at $27,000.
Student Demographics & Diversity
The following sections describe the composition of Special Education graduates at Western Kentucky University, broken down by degree level.
Across all degree levels, Special Education graduates at Western Kentucky University are 84% women (52) and 16% men (10).
Special Education Bachelor’s Program at Western Kentucky University
Among the 13 bachelor’s special education degrees awarded at Western Kentucky University, 100% were women (13) and 0% were men (0).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Special Education bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 13 |
Special Education Master’s Program at Western Kentucky University
Among the 46 master’s special education graduates at Western Kentucky University, 80% were women (37) and 20% were men (9).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Special Education master’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 43 |
| Hispanic / Latino | 1 |
| Black / African American | 2 |
Minority students account for 7% of Special Education master’s degree recipients at Western Kentucky University, below the national average of 33%.*
*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 Kentucky University
The Special Education program at Western Kentucky University includes the following sub-specializations:
| Concentration | Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Special Education | 51 |
| Teaching for Gifted & Talented | 11 |
Best-Paid Careers for Special Education Graduates
Those who complete Special Education program at Western Kentucky University pursue many career paths. Below are the top-paying careers for Special Education graduates, 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.