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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Special Education Schools in the Southeast Region

82 Colleges in the United States
5,192 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$50,406 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their special education programs.

College Factual analyzed 229 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best special education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in the Southeast Region

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

College Of William And Mary tops our 2026 ranking of the best special education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $53,338 in their early career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. See the full special education program report for College Of William And Mary

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $22,709 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Florida State University

3

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 313 special education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from George Mason University earn around $62,342 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from George Mason University

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 24 special education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $56,055 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for James Madison University

5

Elon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 10 special education students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Elon University earn around $50,463 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Elon University

6
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 74 special education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $71,679 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Vanderbilt University

7

Miami Dade College placed #7 among the best special education schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Miami Dade College awarded about 67 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Miami Dade College earn around $53,935 in the first couple years of their career. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Miami Dade College

8
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 143 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,147. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at University Of Florida

9

University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $54,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for University Of Georgia

10

Florida International University landed the #10 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 57 special education degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $49,081 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. More information about a degree in special education from Florida International University

11
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #11 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas awarded about 51 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $43,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full special education details for University Of Arkansas

12

Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #12 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 special education degrees were awarded at Queens University Of Charlotte in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $59,654 in their early career. Queens University Of Charlotte graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Queens University Of Charlotte

13

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #13 among the best special education schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 34 special education degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $46,866 early in their careers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $22,931 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Florida Gulf Coast University

14

The University Of Alabama ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 83 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $45,631 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full special education program report for The University Of Alabama

15

University Of North Florida earned the #15 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 35 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,534 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,509 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of North Florida

16
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #16 among the best special education schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 59 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Auburn University earn around $46,289 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. Read more about the special education program at Auburn University

17

University Of Central Florida landed the #17 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 86 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $53,313 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620. Get the full special education details for University Of Central Florida

18

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #18 among the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $47,549. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

19
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #19 for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 59 special education students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Clemson University earn around $53,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. More information about a degree in special education from Clemson University

20
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College landed the #20 spot for special education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $107,159 in their early career. Get the full special education details for Lynchburg College

21

Appalachian State University came in at #21 for special education this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Appalachian State University awarded about 77 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $43,424. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in special education from Appalachian State University

22
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College earned the #22 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. About 51 special education degrees were awarded at Broward College in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Broward College earn around $49,262 in the first couple years of their career. Broward College graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Broward College

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #23 spot for special education this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

24

The University Of Tennessee placed #24 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 14 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859. Get the full special education details for The University Of Tennessee

25
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #25 spot for special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Augusta. Augusta University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 78 special education degrees were awarded at Augusta University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Augusta University

Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong special education education:

26
27
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA
28
29
30
31
32
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
33
34
Piedmont College crest
Piedmont College
Demorest, GA
35
36
37
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
38
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
47
48
49
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
50

Additional Special Education Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for special education this year:

Rank School Location
#52 Arkansas State University Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
#53 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
#76 Lee University Cleveland, TN
#84 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

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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 · 229 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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