Elementary Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their elementary special education programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary special education students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Elementary Special Education School
The school you choose for elementary special education can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Elementary Special Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Elementary Special Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Elementary Special Education Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Elementary Special Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Elementary Special Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the elementary special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Fordham University, our #1 school for elementary special education. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $71,684 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Fordham University
Towson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 69 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Towson University earn around $59,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
Get the full elementary special education details for Towson University
Students looking for a strong elementary special education program will find one at Adelphi University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 40 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Adelphi University earn around $67,573 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary special education details for Adelphi University
Students looking for a strong elementary special education program will find one at Marist College, which ranked #4. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 31 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $60,521 in their early career. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary special education program at Marist College
St Johns University New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary special education, ranking #5. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. St Johns University New York graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at St Johns University New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $75,441 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary special education program at St Johns University New York
Cuny Hunter College placed #6 among the best elementary special education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 161 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $77,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Cuny Hunter College
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for elementary special education this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157.
Read more about the elementary special education program at Cuny Queens College
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #8 position for elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 55 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $77,678 early in their careers. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
Get the full elementary special education details for Cuny Brooklyn College
Suny College At Cortland earned the #9 position for elementary special education this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $55,507. Typical student debt for the program is $25,369.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Suny College At Cortland
Cuny City College placed #10 among the best elementary special education schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 74 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $76,836 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,389.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Cuny City College
Hofstra University earned the #11 position for elementary special education this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Hofstra University awarded about 12 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $76,264. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Hofstra University
Syracuse University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 24 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $57,964 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary special education details for Syracuse University
University Of Wyoming earned the #13 position for elementary special education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Laramie. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wyoming in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $49,890 in their early career. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans.
See the full elementary special education program report for University Of Wyoming
Touro College earned the #14 position for elementary special education this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 338 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $66,800. Touro College graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans.
See the full elementary special education program report for Touro College
Merrimack College earned the #15 position for elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Merrimack College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $50,506 in their early career. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Merrimack College
Cuny Lehman College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Cuny Lehman College graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $79,551. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Cuny Lehman College
Marietta College placed #17 among the best elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 11 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Marietta College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Marietta College earn around $79,641 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary special education program report for Marietta College
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #18 for elementary special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 61 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $60,588 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary special education details for University Of Northern Iowa
Manhattanville College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Manhattanville College graduates 58% of students within six years. About 40 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Manhattanville College in the most recent year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $67,476 early in their careers. Manhattanville College graduates carry a median of $25,372 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Manhattanville College
Molloy College placed #20 among the best elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 14 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Molloy College in the most recent year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,420.
Get the full elementary special education details for Molloy College
Ball State University landed the #21 spot for elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Ball State University earn around $54,096 in the first couple years of their career. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary special education program at Ball State University
City University Of Seattle ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. City University Of Seattle awarded about 15 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from City University Of Seattle generally make around $76,698. City University Of Seattle graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from City University Of Seattle
La Salle University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. La Salle University awarded about 15 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $48,302 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from La Salle University
Buena Vista University placed #24 among the best elementary special education schools. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 21 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary special education from Buena Vista University
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #25 for elementary special education this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $38,978. Students borrow a median of $24,145 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary special education details for Suny College At Old Westbury
Rest of the Top 38 Elementary Special Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for elementary special education this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 101 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
