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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Special Education Schools in Iowa

2 Colleges in the United States
91 General Special Education Degrees Awarded
$51,795 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 11 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 Iowa

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

Leading the list is Northwestern College Iowa, our #1 school for general special education. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 general special education degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general special education from Northwestern College Iowa

2
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Buena Vista University in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,317 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for Buena Vista University

3
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Students looking for a strong general special education program will find one at Morningside College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Morningside College graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Morningside College in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $55,760 early in their careers. Morningside College graduates carry a median of $27,281 in student loans. Get the full general special education details for Morningside College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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