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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in Tennessee

8 Colleges in the United States
243 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$52,082 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 28 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 Tennessee

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

Top Schools in Special Education

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 74 special education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $71,679. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Vanderbilt University

2

The University Of Tennessee came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at The University Of Tennessee

3
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Lipscomb University, which ranked #3. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 28 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $51,798. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Read more about the special education program at Lipscomb University

4

Middle Tennessee State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 36 special education degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $44,052 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,493 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Middle Tennessee State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Memphis one of the top schools for special education. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. About 57 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Memphis earn around $44,664 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,397. Read more about the special education program at University Of Memphis

6

Lincoln Memorial University earned the #6 position for special education this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 11 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Typical student debt for the program is $20,693. See the full special education program report for Lincoln Memorial University

7
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #7 spot for special education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Lee University awarded about 23 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $38,249 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,422. See the full special education program report for Lee University

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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 · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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