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

41 Colleges in the United States
2,752 General Special Education Degrees Awarded
$57,516 Avg Early-Career Salary

General 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.

College Factual analyzed 148 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general special education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Special Education in the Middle Atlantic Region

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 general special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Special Education

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general special education. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the general special education program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 72 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $59,077. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Get the full general special education details for Towson University

3

Students looking for a strong general special education program will find one at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #3. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $64,297 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120. More information about a degree in general special education from Rutgers University New Brunswick

4

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. About 72% of students finish within six years. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary awarded about 17 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn around $48,472 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857. Read more about the general special education program at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

5

Students looking for a strong general special education program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #5. 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 25 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $67,390. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. See the full general special education program report for University Of Maryland College Park

6

Pace University New York ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Pace University New York graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 93 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $70,803. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from Pace University New York

7

The College Of New Jersey landed the #7 spot for general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 122 general special education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $64,759. Typical student debt for the program is $25,228. See the full general special education program report for The College Of New Jersey

8

George Washington University came in at #8 for general special education this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 19 general special education students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from George Washington University earn around $68,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from George Washington University

9

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for general special education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 general special education degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general special education from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

10
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University came in at #10 for general special education this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 17 general special education degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $61,598 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for Seton Hall University

11
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University came in at #11 for general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 48 general special education degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Rowan University earn around $66,244 in the first couple years of their career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. See the full general special education program report for Rowan University

12

University Of Delaware ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $59,316 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from University Of Delaware

13

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for general special education this year. This large public university is 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 49 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full general special education program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

14

Montclair State University landed the #14 spot for general special education this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Montclair State University awarded about 19 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $69,017 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,286. Get the full general special education details for Montclair State University

15
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,286. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for Temple University

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #16 among the best general special education schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the general special education program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus

17
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University earned the #17 position for general special education this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. Hofstra University awarded about 16 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $76,264. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Get the full general special education details for Hofstra University

18

Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #18 for general special education this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Ramapo College Of New Jersey awarded about 47 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. See the full general special education program report for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

19
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College earned the #19 position for general special education this year. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 98 general special education degrees were awarded at Touro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general 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 general special education from Touro College

20

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #20 position for general special education this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 101 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general special education program at Pennsylvania Western University

21
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University placed #21 among the best general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 11 general special education degrees were awarded at Rider University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Rider University earn around $64,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for Rider University

22
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University placed #22 among the best general special education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 60 general special education degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $53,643 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general special education program at Saint Josephs University

23
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY

Daemen College came in at #23 for general special education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Amherst. Daemen College graduates 59% of students within six years. Daemen College awarded about 52 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $63,542 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,358 to complete this degree. Read more about the general special education program at Daemen College

24

William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 79 general special education degrees were awarded at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $62,115. Typical student debt for the program is $25,644. See the full general special education program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey

25
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University placed #25 among the best general special education schools. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. About 72% of students finish within six years. Desales University awarded about 12 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $54,798. Typical student debt for the program is $27,524. More information about a degree in general special education from Desales University

Rest of the Top 50 General Special Education Schools

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

26
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
27
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
28
29
30
31
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
32
33
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
34
35
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
36
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA
37
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
38
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
39
40
41
42
43
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
44
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY
45
Gwynedd Mercy College crest
Gwynedd Mercy College
Gwynedd Valley, PA
46
47
48
49
50

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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 · 148 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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