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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Elementary Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

23 Colleges in the United States
1,584 Elementary Special Education Degrees Awarded
$60,951 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Special Education in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary special education education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Elementary Special Education

1

No school ranked higher than Fordham University this year 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. Fordham University awarded about 12 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $71,684 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. See the full elementary special education program report for Fordham University

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary special education, ranking #2. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 69 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $59,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Read more about the elementary special education program at Towson University

3
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

A rank of #3 makes Adelphi University one of the top schools for elementary special education. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Adelphi University awarded about 40 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Adelphi University earn around $67,573 in the first couple years of their career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Read more about the elementary special education program at Adelphi University

4
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $60,521 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary special education details for Marist College

5

St Johns University New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. St Johns University New York graduates 66% of students within six years. St Johns University New York awarded about 47 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $75,441 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,521. More information about a degree in elementary special education from St Johns University New York

6
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College landed the #6 spot for elementary special education this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Read more about the elementary special education program at Cuny Hunter College

7

Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 29 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $74,496 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Cuny Queens College

8

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #8 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. There were roughly 55 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $77,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Cuny Brooklyn College

9

Suny College At Cortland earned the #9 position for elementary special education this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Suny College At Cortland

10
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

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. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $76,836 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,389. Get the full elementary special education details for Cuny City College

11
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University placed #11 among the best elementary special education schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $76,264 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Hofstra University

12
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #12 for elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 24 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $57,964. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary special education program report for Syracuse University

13
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Touro College graduates 76% of students within six years. About 338 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Touro College earn around $66,800 in the first couple years of their career. Touro College graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Touro College

14

Cuny Lehman College landed the #14 spot for elementary special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 24 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $79,551 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. See the full elementary special education program report for Cuny Lehman College

15

Manhattanville College came in at #15 for elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Manhattanville College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $67,476. Typical student debt for the program is $25,372. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Manhattanville College

16
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College placed #16 among the best elementary special education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 14 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Molloy College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Molloy College earn around $53,653 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,420. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Molloy College

17
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best elementary special education schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from La Salle University earn around $48,302 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary special education from La Salle University

18

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #18 among the best elementary special education schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $38,978 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,145. Read more about the elementary special education program at Suny College At Old Westbury

19
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #19 spot for elementary special education this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 197 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Niagara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $53,815 in their early career. Niagara University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Niagara University

20

Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #20 spot for elementary special education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Cuny College Of Staten Island graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny College Of Staten Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary special education program make about $75,212 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,688. See the full elementary special education program report for Cuny College Of Staten Island

21

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #21 among the best elementary special education schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary special education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. See the full elementary special education program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

22

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #22 position for elementary special education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Plattsburgh. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny College At Plattsburgh awarded about 57 elementary special education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $56,109 early in their careers. Suny College At Plattsburgh graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Get the full elementary special education details for Suny College At Plattsburgh

23
Keuka College crest
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY

Keuka College landed the #23 spot for elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Keuka Park, Keuka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Keuka College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Keuka College earn around $53,806 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary special education program at Keuka College

24
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo earned the #24 position for elementary special education this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 63 elementary special education students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent data year. Elementary Special Education graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,229 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary special education from Suny At Geneseo

25

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #25 for elementary special education this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Suny College At Buffalo graduates 33% of students within six years. About 14 elementary special education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Buffalo in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary special education degree from Suny College At Buffalo earn around $35,330 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,610 in student loans. Get the full elementary special education details for Suny College At Buffalo

Rest of the Top 27 Elementary Special Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for elementary special education this year:

26
27

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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