2026 Best Special Education Associate’s Degree Schools

1

College Of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

No school ranked higher than College Of Southern Nevada this year for special education. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 27 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at College Of Southern Nevada

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. About 83 special education degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Moorpark College

3

Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. About 32 special education degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $64,492 in their early career. Cuesta College graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Cuesta College

4

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 18 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Foothill College

5

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Saddleback College awarded about 52 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Saddleback College

6

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 116 special education degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. More information about a degree in special education from Pasadena City College

7

Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA

Evergreen Valley College came in at #7 for special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 37 special education degrees were awarded at Evergreen Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $82,879 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,981. Read more about the special education program at Evergreen Valley College

8

Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College landed the #8 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 11 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Santa Barbara City College

9

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #9 for special education this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. About 22 special education degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in special education from Oxnard College

10

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College came in at #10 for special education this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 14 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. More information about a degree in special education from Santiago Canyon College

11

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College earned the #11 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 special education students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. Get the full special education details for Santa Monica College

12

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College earned the #12 position for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Fullerton College awarded about 76 special education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in special education from Fullerton College

13

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #13 for special education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. There were roughly 19 special education students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Golden West College earn around $82,984 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Golden West College

14

Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA

Miracosta College landed the #14 spot for special education this year. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Miracosta College awarded about 21 special education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full special education program report for Miracosta College

15

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #15 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. Community College Of Rhode Island awarded about 15 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $39,680 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Community College Of Rhode Island

16

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco landed the #16 spot for special education this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 23 special education degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $100,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,332. Read more about the special education program at City College Of San Francisco

17

Riverside City College
Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #17 spot for special education this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Riverside City College awarded about 78 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Riverside City College earn around $37,102 in the first couple years of their career. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Riverside City College

18

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #18 for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. West Valley College awarded about 20 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308. Get the full special education details for West Valley College

19

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #19 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. Palomar College awarded about 22 special education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in special education from Palomar College

20

East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College earned the #20 position for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. About 71 special education degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from East Los Angeles College

21

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College earned the #21 position for special education this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Citrus College awarded about 28 special education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in special education from Citrus College

22

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista came in at #22 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chula Vista. About 45 special education degrees were awarded at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,205. Read more about the special education program at Southwestern College Chula Vista

23

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #23 for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Norco College awarded about 38 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Norco College

24

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #24 spot for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. About 12 special education degrees were awarded at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Northampton County Area Community College

25

Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA

Los Angeles Valley College placed #25 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. Los Angeles Valley College awarded about 23 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254. Read more about the special education program at Los Angeles Valley College