General Special 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.
College Factual analyzed 813 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general special education schools.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 18 general special education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in general special education from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $79,384. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general special education from California State University Fullerton
California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general special education, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 25 general special education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,631. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $73,549 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
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San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 general special education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full general special education program report for San Jose State University
San Francisco State University landed the #6 spot for general special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 46 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $69,592 early in their careers. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans.
See the full general special education program report for San Francisco State University
California State University East Bay ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 general special education students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $77,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree.
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Boston College landed the #8 spot for general special education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 23 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Boston College earn around $59,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general special education from Boston College
Loyola Marymount University landed the #9 spot for general special education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 27 general special education degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $71,022. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general special education from Loyola Marymount University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #10 spot for general special education this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general special education degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $64,297 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general special education program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
California State University Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for general special education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 general special education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,983 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430.
Read more about the general special education program at California State University Los Angeles
University Of Connecticut earned the #12 position for general special education this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
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Towson University came in at #13 for general special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $64,822 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general special education from Towson University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 for general special education this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
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Pace University New York landed the #15 spot for general special education this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 92 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $79,259 in their early career. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
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George Mason University landed the #16 spot for general special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 242 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $61,996 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
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California State University San Bernardino came in at #17 for general special education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 general special education degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans.
See the full general special education program report for California State University San Bernardino
California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for general special education this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 25 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $68,093 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general special education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $60,791 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full general special education program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
California State University Fresno placed #20 among the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. About 24 general special education degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from California State University Fresno earn around $71,787 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans.
See the full general special education program report for California State University Fresno
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 29 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $71,255. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
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Worcester State University earned the #22 position for general special education this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 36 general special education degrees were awarded at Worcester State University in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Worcester State University graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general special education from Worcester State University
Depaul University came in at #23 for general special education this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 41 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $67,561. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310.
See the full general special education program report for Depaul University
National University earned the #24 position for general special education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 352 general special education degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $70,672 in their early career. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans.
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University Of Utah landed the #25 spot for general special education this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Utah awarded about 56 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from University Of Utah earn around $65,971 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general special education ranking:
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 · 813 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).
