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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Missouri

10 Colleges in Missouri
213 Master's Degrees
$46,388 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a master's degree in special education, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #8 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Missouri ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 213 master's degrees in special education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

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Choosing a Great Special Education School for Your Master's Degree

Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Missouri The special ed master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality special ed program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for special education students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Special Ed Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Special Education Master's Degree Schools in Missouri list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Special Education in Missouri

Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for special education students seeking a a master's degree.

10 Top Missouri Schools for a Master's in Special Ed

1
18 Annual Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in special education has to take a look at Missouri State University - Springfield. Missouri State is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.More information about a master’s in special education from Missouri State University - Springfield

2

University of Missouri - Columbia is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in special education. Located in the city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, special ed master's recipients usually earn an average of $48,231 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Missouri - Columbia

3

It is hard to beat Northwest Missouri State University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in special education. Northwest is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Maryville.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program state that they receive average early career income of $44,602.

More information about a master’s in special education from Northwest Missouri State University

4
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in special education needs to check out Fontbonne University. Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Special Education master's degree recipients from Fontbonne University receive an earnings boost of about $2,802 over the typical earnings of special education graduates.

More information about a master’s in special education from Fontbonne University

5
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.

Those special education students who get their master's degree from Webster University make $4,934 more than the average special ed graduate.

More information about a master’s in special education from Webster University

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6

Located in the distant town of Warrensburg, UCM is a public university with a large student population.

Soon after graduating, special ed master's recipients typically make around $46,015 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Central Missouri

7

Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, UMSL is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career income of $46,426.

More information about a master’s in special education from University of Missouri - St Louis

8
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

After graduating, special ed master's recipients usually make around $47,206 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in special education from Lindenwood University

9

Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Cape Girardeau.

Master's students who receive their degree from the special ed program make around $43,111 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in special education from Southeast Missouri State University

10
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.

Students who graduate with their master's from the special ed program report average early career earnings of $41,393.

More information about a master’s in special education from Drury University

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Best Special Education Colleges in the Plains States Region

Explore all the Best Special Education Colleges in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 174 464
Iowa 154 150
Kansas 149 383
Nebraska 123 131
North Dakota 115 156
South Dakota 89 11
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View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, Special Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Special Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Special Education 118
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 58
Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented 18
Education of the Deaf 9
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 7
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 3
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Majors Similar to Special Ed

Related Major Annual Graduates
Educational Administration 725
Teacher Education Grade Specific 542
Curriculum & Instruction 440
Student Counseling 406
Teacher Education Subject Specific 321
General Education 174
Instructional Media Design 151
Other Education 80
Teaching English or French 47
Educational Assessment 18

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Notes and References

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