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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in South Carolina

7 Colleges in the United States
195 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$45,879 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in South Carolina

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
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University tops our 2026 ranking of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 59 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. See the full special education program report for Clemson University

2
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

A rank of #2 makes College Of Charleston one of the top schools for special education. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $39,832 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,025. Get the full special education details for College Of Charleston

3

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 15 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $54,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

4

Columbia College South Carolina is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Columbia College South Carolina awarded about 23 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Columbia College South Carolina generally make around $48,339. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Columbia College South Carolina

5
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Lander University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 19 special education degrees were awarded at Lander University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Lander University earn around $37,548 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,064. Read more about the special education program at Lander University

6
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University came in at #6 for special education this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Winthrop University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 special education students who graduated with this degree at Winthrop University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $46,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,717 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Winthrop University

7

Coastal Carolina University earned the #7 position for special education this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 15 special education degrees were awarded at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $45,908 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full special education details for Coastal Carolina University

8

Francis Marion University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 special education students who graduated with this degree at Francis Marion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Francis Marion University earn around $41,456 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Francis Marion University

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Notes and References

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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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