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

10 Colleges in the United States
457 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$49,972 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in Wisconsin

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
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Our analysis ranked Viterbo University the best school in the country for a degree in special education. Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 special education degrees were awarded at Viterbo University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Viterbo University earn around $60,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,107. More information about a degree in special education from Viterbo University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 45 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $50,174 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $22,863 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Carroll University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 special education students who graduated with this degree at Carroll University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $46,661 early in their careers. Carroll University graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Carroll University

4

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 111 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $46,508. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee one of the top schools for special education. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $51,466 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,188. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

6

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #6 among the best special education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 31 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,607 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #7 spot for special education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. About 79 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $49,737 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

8

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #8 for special education this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 37 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $44,945. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

9
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College earned the #9 position for special education this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Alverno College graduates 51% of students within six years. About 11 special education degrees were awarded at Alverno College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $55,790 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,425. See the full special education program report for Alverno College

10

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #10 position for special education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Menomonie. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $45,196 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for University Of Wisconsin Stout

11

University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #11 spot for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 28 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Superior in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $55,057. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of Wisconsin Superior

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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