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

33 Colleges in the United States
4,367 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$59,142 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 68 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 New York

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

Leading the list is Fordham University, our #1 school for special education. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 special education degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Fordham University earn around $71,684 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Fordham University

2
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Adelphi University awarded about 68 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $67,573 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,487. Read more about the special education program at Adelphi University

3
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 10 special education degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Yeshiva University earn around $52,838 in the first couple years of their career. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Yeshiva University

4

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Pace University New York, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 111 special education degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $70,803. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Pace University New York

5
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 32 special education degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Marist College earn around $60,521 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Marist College

6

St Johns University New York landed the #6 spot for special education this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 65 special education degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $75,441. Typical student debt for the program is $25,521. More information about a degree in special education from St Johns University New York

7
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #7 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 338 special education degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $77,182 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Cuny Hunter College

8

Cuny Queens College came in at #8 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 special education degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $74,496 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157. Read more about the special education program at Cuny Queens College

9

Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 259 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $77,678 in their early career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Cuny Brooklyn College

10

Suny College At Cortland came in at #10 for special education this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 106 special education degrees were awarded at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $55,507 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,369. Read more about the special education program at Suny College At Cortland

11
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #11 position for special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny City College awarded about 157 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $76,836. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Cuny City College

12
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University landed the #12 spot for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hofstra University awarded about 48 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Hofstra University earn around $76,264 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Hofstra University

13
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #13 for special education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 65 special education degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,964 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full special education details for Syracuse University

14
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College placed #14 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Touro College awarded about 754 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Touro College earn a median of $66,800 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,285. See the full special education program report for Touro College

15
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College earned the #15 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 35 special education students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $76,455 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,329. Get the full special education details for Manhattan College

16

Cuny Lehman College landed the #16 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Cuny Lehman College graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $79,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Cuny Lehman College

17
Daemen College crest
Daemen College
Amherst, NY

Daemen College earned the #17 position for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Daemen College awarded about 97 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,358 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Daemen College

18
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College landed the #18 spot for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Nazareth College awarded about 10 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Nazareth College earn around $44,626 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,185. More information about a degree in special education from Nazareth College

19

College Of Mount Saint Vincent ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 166 special education degrees were awarded at College Of Mount Saint Vincent in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $58,239 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,385 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from College Of Mount Saint Vincent

20

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #20 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 41 special education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $69,049 in their early career. Read more about the special education program at Teachers College At Columbia University

21

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #21 for special education this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $63,285 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at State University Of New York At New Paltz

22

Manhattanville College earned the #22 position for special education this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Manhattanville College graduates 58% of students within six years. Manhattanville College awarded about 65 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $67,476 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,372. Get the full special education details for Manhattanville College

23

Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #23 spot for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Long Island University C W Post Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. About 46 special education degrees were awarded at Long Island University C W Post Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $75,868 in their early career. Long Island University C W Post Campus graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Long Island University C W Post Campus

24
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College came in at #24 for special education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 special education degrees were awarded at Molloy College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $53,653 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,420. Get the full special education details for Molloy College

25

Suny College At Oswego came in at #25 for special education this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Suny College At Oswego awarded about 14 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,163. Get the full special education details for Suny College At Oswego

Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for special education this year:

26
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
27
28
29
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
30
31
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
32
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
33
34
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
35
36
37
38
39
40
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
41
Keuka College crest
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NY
42
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY
43
44
45
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
46
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
47
48
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 68 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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