by our College Data Analytics TeamSpecial Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 67 schools to find the best for special education students.
What’s on this page:
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.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 36 special education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full special education program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary, which ranked #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 special education students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,472 in their early career. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 89 special education students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the special education program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 60 special education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full special education program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Temple University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 special education students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,286. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Temple University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #6 for special education this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 61 special education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full special education program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #7 for special education this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 114 special education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. See the full special education program report for Pennsylvania Western University
Saint Josephs University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 63 special education degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $53,643 early in their careers. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Saint Josephs University
Desales University landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Center Valley. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at Desales University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Desales University earn around $54,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,524. See the full special education program report for Desales University
Lehigh University earned the #10 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Lehigh University awarded about 13 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $60,267 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008. Read more about the special education program at Lehigh University
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for special education this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 58 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full special education program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
La Salle University landed the #12 spot for special education this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,302 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in special education from La Salle University
Holy Family University earned the #13 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 special education students who graduated with this degree at Holy Family University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $64,967 early in their careers. Holy Family University graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Holy Family University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #14 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Drexel University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Drexel University
Gwynedd Mercy College landed the #16 spot for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Gwynedd Mercy College graduates 65% of students within six years. About 20 special education degrees were awarded at Gwynedd Mercy College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Gwynedd Mercy College earn around $62,051 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,764 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Gwynedd Mercy College
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for special education this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 213 special education students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $48,641. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #18 spot for special education this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. About 54% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus awarded about 54 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn around $44,273 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for special education this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 43 special education degrees were awarded at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $54,009. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full special education program report for East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for special education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 special education students who graduated with this degree at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn around $53,293 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500. See the full special education program report for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Alvernia University earned the #21 position for special education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. Alvernia University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at Alvernia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,649 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Alvernia University
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 72 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn around $51,664 in the first couple years of their career. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $29,737 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Eastern University placed #23 among the best special education schools. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. About 60% of students finish within six years. Eastern University awarded about 31 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Eastern University earn around $53,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Eastern University
Chestnut Hill College earned the #24 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Chestnut Hill College graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 special education students who graduated with this degree at Chestnut Hill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Chestnut Hill College earn around $45,627 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,824. Get the full special education details for Chestnut Hill College
Wilson College placed #25 among the best special education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chambersburg. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at Wilson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $58,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,814. Read more about the special education program at Wilson College
These schools also placed among the best for special education this year:
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 · 67 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.