by our College Data Analytics TeamWe've pulled together some essential information you should know about the program, including how many students graduate each year, the ethnic diversity of these students, average starting salaries, and more. Also, learn how WKU ranks among other schools offering degrees in special ed.
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The bachelor's program at WKU was ranked #222 on College Factual's Best Schools for special ed list. It is also ranked #4 in Kentucky.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, Western Kentucky University handed out 27 bachelor's degrees in special education. This is a decrease of 4% over the previous year when 28 degrees were handed out.
In 2022, 18 students received their master’s degree in special ed from WKU. This makes it the #238 most popular school for special ed master’s degree candidates in the country.
The median salary of special ed students who receive their bachelor's degree at WKU is $38,807. This is less than $44,139, which is the national median of all special ed majors in the nation who earn bachelor's degrees.
While getting their bachelor's degree at WKU, special ed students borrow a median amount of $19,688 in student loans. This is not too bad considering that the median debt load of all special ed bachelor's degree recipients across the country is $29,114.
In 2022-2023, the average part-time undergraduate tuition at WKU was $1,125 per credit hour for out-of-state students. The average for in-state students was $477 per credit hour. Information about average full-time undergraduate tuition and fees is shown in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,436 | $27,000 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| On Campus Room and Board | $12,043 | $12,043 |
| On Campus Other Expenses | $2,409 | $2,409 |
Learn more about WKU tuition and fees.
Of the 27 students who graduated with a Bachelor’s in special ed from WKU in 2022, 11% were men and 89% were women.
The majority of the students with this major are white. About 93% of 2022 graduates were in this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor's in special ed.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 2 |
| Black or African American | 0 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 0 |
| White | 25 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 0 |
| Other Races | 0 |
WKU does not offer an online option for its special ed bachelor’s degree program at this time. To see if the school offers distance learning options in other areas, visit the WKU Online Learning page.
Graduates of the master's special ed program at WKU make a median salary of $44,743. This is less than what their typical peers from other schools make. Their median salary is $56,864.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, 37 special ed majors earned their master's degree from WKU. Of these graduates, 19% were men and 81% were women.
The majority of the students with this major are white. About 89% of 2022 graduates were in this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Western Kentucky University with a master's in special ed.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1 |
| Black or African American | 2 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 0 |
| White | 33 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 0 |
| Other Races | 1 |
Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the special ed majors at Western Kentucky University.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 182 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 65 |
| Instructional Media Design | 35 |
| Student Counseling | 27 |
| Educational Administration | 23 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.