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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools

353 Colleges in the United States
26,353 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$55,535 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1022 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Special Education School

Best Special Education Schools

The special education program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Special Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Special Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Special Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Special Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Special Education
Master's Degrees in Special Education
Doctoral Degrees in Special Education

We offer several rankings, including this Best Special Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Special Education in the United States

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 special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Special Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year for special education. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,086 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,925 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for special education. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in special education from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for special education. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 special education students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. More information about a degree in special education from College Of William And Mary

4

California State University Fullerton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,384 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Get the full special education details for California State University Fullerton

5

Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 84 special education degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $71,684 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Fordham University

6

Loyola University Chicago landed the #6 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Loyola University Chicago

7

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 61 special education degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,306. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Indiana University Bloomington

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $51,884 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $22,709 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Florida State University

9

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $73,549 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

10

California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,631. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in special education from California State University Long Beach

11

Johns Hopkins University placed #11 among the best special education schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 special education students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $68,814 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Get the full special education details for Johns Hopkins University

12

San Jose State University came in at #12 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 42 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full special education details for San Jose State University

13

San Francisco State University earned the #13 position for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 46 special education degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $69,592. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. See the full special education program report for San Francisco State University

14

California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 43 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from California State University East Bay earn around $77,402 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from California State University East Bay

15
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #15 position for special education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 207 special education degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $59,077 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Towson University

16
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #16 for special education this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 23 special education degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $59,583. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Boston College

17
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #17 spot for special education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. About 67% of students finish within six years. Adelphi University awarded about 68 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Adelphi University earn around $67,573 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Adelphi University

18

Loyola Marymount University came in at #18 for special education this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 special education degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $71,022. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Loyola Marymount University

19

University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. About 64% of students finish within six years. University Of Hawaii At Manoa awarded about 84 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $66,637 in their early career. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Hawaii At Manoa

20

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 57 special education degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $64,297 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick

21

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best 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 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

22

University Of Connecticut earned the #22 position for 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. University Of Connecticut awarded about 58 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $58,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,637. Read more about the special education program at University Of Connecticut

23

Illinois State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 263 special education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Illinois State University earn around $52,626 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,436. More information about a degree in special education from Illinois State University

24

California State University Los Angeles came in at #24 for special education this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 68 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,983. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. See the full special education program report for California State University Los Angeles

25
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Yeshiva University awarded about 10 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $52,838 in their early career. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Yeshiva University

Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong special education education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
34
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
42
43
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
44
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
45
46
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
47
48
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
49
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
50

Additional Special Education Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for special education this year:

Rank School Location
#51 Purdue University Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
#58 Cuny Hunter College New York, NY
#59 Boston University Boston, MA
#63 Cuny Queens College Queens, NY
#65 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
#67 Cuny Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
#70 University Of Dayton Dayton, OH
#71 Suny College At Cortland Cortland, NY
#74 Cuny City College New York, NY
#75 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY
#76 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY
#78 University Of Florida Gainesville, FL
#84 University Of Georgia Athens, GA
#85 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
#89 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
#90 Utah State University Logan, UT
#93 Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
#96 Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL
#100 Saint Josephs University Philadelphia, PA
#104 Manhattan College Riverdale, NY
#105 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
#109 Providence College Providence, RI
#120 Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA
#130 University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
#134 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for special education:

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Special Education by Region

View the Best Special Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Special Education. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Special Education and Teaching, General 16,969
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs 2,623
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs 1,822
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities 1,011
Special Education and Teaching, Other 902
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs 804
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism 679
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented 375
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities 245
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness 232
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments 188
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness 135
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances 121
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs 96
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed 68
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities 59
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries 23
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments 1

View All Special Education Concentrations >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 1022 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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