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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in Colorado

5 Colleges in the United States
300 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$48,517 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 12 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in Colorado

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

Top Schools in Special Education

1
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Our analysis ranked Regis University the best school in the country for a degree in special education. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 13 special education degrees were awarded at Regis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Regis University earn around $72,028 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Regis University

2

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 158 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $49,499. Typical student debt for the program is $26,564. Read more about the special education program at University Of Northern Colorado

3

University Of Colorado Denver is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. University Of Colorado Denver graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Colorado Denver earn around $66,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582. See the full special education program report for University Of Colorado Denver

4

Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates 31% of students within six years. Metropolitan State College Of Denver awarded about 14 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $39,638 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,027 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Metropolitan State College Of Denver

5
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Fort Lewis College graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 special education students who graduated with this degree at Fort Lewis College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Fort Lewis College

6

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs

7

Western State College Of Colorado came in at #7 for special education this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Western State College Of Colorado in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $36,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Western State College Of Colorado

8

Colorado Christian University came in at #8 for special education this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Colorado Christian University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at Colorado Christian University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $41,475. Students borrow a median of $36,092 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Colorado Christian University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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