by our College Data Analytics TeamSpecial Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1022 schools to find the best for special education students.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in special education, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 16 special education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full special education program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 32 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $51,922 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,925 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 17 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Florida State University earn around $51,884 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Florida State University
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 33 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $60,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 special education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $51,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Indiana University Bloomington
Towson University placed #6 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Towson University earn around $53,331 in the first couple years of their career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Towson University
The College Of New Jersey placed #7 among the best special education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 66 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $64,759 in the first couple years of their career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $25,228 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from The College Of New Jersey
University Of Connecticut placed #8 among the best special education schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 22 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,637. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Connecticut
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best special education schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 17 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $50,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,863. See the full special education program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Illinois State University earned the #10 position for special education this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 232 special education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Illinois State University earn around $48,358 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,436 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Illinois State University
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #11 position for special education this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Vanderbilt University earned the #12 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $71,679 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Vanderbilt University
Arizona State University earned the #13 position for special education this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 81 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,882 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375. Read more about the special education program at Arizona State University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 32 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the special education program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #15 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 32 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $49,771. Students borrow a median of $18,387 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 73 special education degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in special education from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
James Madison University came in at #17 for special education this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 21 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $56,055. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. See the full special education program report for James Madison University
Marist College placed #18 among the best special education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Marist College awarded about 32 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $60,521 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962. Get the full special education details for Marist College
Northeastern Illinois University placed #19 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $69,073 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Northeastern Illinois University
Rowan University placed #20 among the best special education schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 135 special education degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $66,244. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Rowan University
Seton Hall University placed #21 among the best special education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 special education students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Seton Hall University earn around $61,598 in the first couple years of their career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Seton Hall University
Northern Illinois University earned the #22 position for special education this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 63 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $46,578 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $21,452 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Northern Illinois University
George Mason University came in at #23 for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 44 special education degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from George Mason University earn around $62,342 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from George Mason University
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #24 for special education this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 15 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,773 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,276 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Purdue University Main Campus
Miami Dade College earned the #25 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Miami Dade College awarded about 67 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,935. Typical student debt for the program is $9,671. More information about a degree in special education from Miami Dade College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong special education education:
The following schools placed in the top tier for special education:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #53 | Molloy College | Rockville Centre, NY |
| #55 | Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA |
| #57 | The University Of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| #63 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL |
| #66 | Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, MA |
| #68 | University Of Nebraska Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| #77 | University Of North Carolina At Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| #83 | Minnesota State University Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| #85 | University Of Cincinnati Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH |
| #87 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
| #88 | Winona State University | Winona, MN |
| #112 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT |
| #115 | Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock, PA |
| #125 | Bowling Green State University Main Campus | Bowling Green, OH |
| #133 | Kent State University At Kent | Kent, OH |
| #145 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI |
| #148 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI |
| #166 | Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ |
These schools earned honorable mentions for special education:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Special Education rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1022 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.