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

22 Colleges in the United States
1,053 General Special Education Degrees Awarded
$53,688 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 57 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Special Education in the New England 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
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Our analysis ranked Boston College the best school in the country for a degree in general special education. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Boston College awarded about 23 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $59,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for Boston College

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Connecticut one of the top schools for general special education. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 54 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from University Of Connecticut

3
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general special education, ranking #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 28 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Stonehill College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Stonehill College generally make around $45,704. Typical student debt for the program is $25,603. See the full general special education program report for Stonehill College

4
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general special education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 36 general special education degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $59,238 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from Boston University

5

Students looking for a strong general special education program will find one at Worcester State University, which ranked #5. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 36 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Worcester State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $45,297 in their early career. Worcester State University graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. See the full general special education program report for Worcester State University

6
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College placed #6 among the best general special education schools. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. About 49 general special education degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $49,664 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general special education details for Providence College

7
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College earned the #7 position for general special education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. About 48 general special education degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $58,142 in their early career. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. More information about a degree in general special education from Simmons College

8

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #8 position for general special education this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 32 general special education degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $65,431 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. More information about a degree in general special education from University Of Massachusetts Boston

9

Fitchburg State University placed #9 among the best general special education schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Fitchburg State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $59,740 early in their careers. Fitchburg State University graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. Get the full general special education details for Fitchburg State University

10
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford earned the #10 position for general special education this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hartford awarded about 78 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $54,418 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general special education from University Of Hartford

11

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #11 for general special education this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Southern Connecticut State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Connecticut State University in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $54,330 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for Southern Connecticut State University

12

Quinnipiac University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. Quinnipiac University awarded about 25 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $55,238. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Quinnipiac University

13

Salve Regina University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 24 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Salve Regina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Salve Regina University earn around $51,308 in the first couple years of their career. Salve Regina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Salve Regina University

14
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Assumption College awarded about 22 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $55,180 in their early career. Assumption College graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Assumption College

15
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University landed the #15 spot for general special education this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 general special education degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $58,625 in their early career. Lesley University graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Lesley University

16

Salem State University came in at #16 for general special education this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 11 general special education degrees were awarded at Salem State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Salem State University earn around $58,024 in the first couple years of their career. Salem State University graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Salem State University

17

Bridgewater State University landed the #17 spot for general special education this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 112 general special education degrees were awarded at Bridgewater State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general special education degree from Bridgewater State University earn around $53,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general special education program at Bridgewater State University

18
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #18 among the best general special education schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Vermont awarded about 20 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $52,580. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607. See the full general special education program report for University Of Vermont

19
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College came in at #19 for general special education this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 40 general special education degrees were awarded at Saint Joseph College in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $56,400 early in their careers. Saint Joseph College graduates carry a median of $27,798 in student loans. Read more about the general special education program at Saint Joseph College

20

Central Connecticut State University earned the #20 position for general special education this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Central Connecticut State University graduates 48% of students within six years. About 20 general special education degrees were awarded at Central Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $60,665 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for Central Connecticut State University

21

Framingham State University placed #21 among the best general special education schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Framingham State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $49,006 in their early career. Framingham State University graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. See the full general special education program report for Framingham State University

22

Westfield State University came in at #22 for general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 20 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $48,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general special education program report for Westfield State University

23

Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #23 for general special education this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. There were roughly 15 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for Community College Of Rhode Island

24

University Of Maine landed the #24 spot for general special education this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 32 general special education degrees were awarded at University Of Maine in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $49,410 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete this degree. Get the full general special education details for University Of Maine

25

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #25 for general special education this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. About 68% of students finish within six years. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms awarded about 24 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general special education degree from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn around $57,569 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,854 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for College Of Our Lady Of The Elms

Rest of the Top 29 General Special Education Schools

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

26
27
28
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA
29
Cambridge College crest
Cambridge College
Boston, MA

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Notes and References

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 · 57 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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