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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in Maryland

2 Colleges in the United States
328 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$61,319 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 16 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall special education education in Maryland.

Top Schools in Special Education

1

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 22 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $68,814 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. Read more about the special education program at Johns Hopkins University

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

A rank of #2 makes Towson University one of the top schools for special education. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 207 special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $59,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Towson University

3

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 25 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Maryland College Park

4
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD

A rank of #4 makes Hood College one of the top schools for special education. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 11 special education students who graduated with this degree at Hood College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Hood College earn a median of $59,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,703. Read more about the special education program at Hood College

5
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 special education degrees were awarded at Mcdaniel College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $62,934 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,247. Get the full special education details for Mcdaniel College

6

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #6 among the best special education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 special education students who graduated with this degree at College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland generally make around $64,018. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland

7

Bowie State University placed #7 among the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at Bowie State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $47,668 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Bowie State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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