ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in the Southwest Region

15 Colleges in the United States
5,175 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$53,726 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for special education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/special-education/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 6
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.10), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Special Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Special Education (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Special Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Special Education (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Special Education (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Special Education (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Special Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 6
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 6 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 6
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 6 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Special Education in the Southwest Region

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

Top Schools in Special Education

1

No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for special education. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 special education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $60,791 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. See the full special education program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 128 special education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,899. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Arizona State University

3

Texas Christian University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 13 special education degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $60,035 in their early career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Texas Christian University

4

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $58,084 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. See the full special education program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

5

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 30 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $60,140 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Texas A And M University College Station

6

University Of Houston earned the #6 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 18 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of Houston

7

Texas Tech University earned the #7 position for special education this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 111 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $59,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Texas Tech University

8

Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Northern Arizona University awarded about 147 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $54,048. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Northern Arizona University

9

University Of North Texas came in at #9 for special education this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 38 special education degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of North Texas earn around $60,365 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of North Texas

10

Sam Houston State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 37 special education degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $62,215 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. Get the full special education details for Sam Houston State University

11

Texas Womans University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. Texas Womans University awarded about 42 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,313 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,211. More information about a degree in special education from Texas Womans University

12

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #12 for special education this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 61 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $58,153. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Texas State University San Marcos

13

Arizona State University Skysong placed #13 among the best special education schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 1,555 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $55,916 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742. See the full special education program report for Arizona State University Skysong

14
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #14 position for special education this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. About 492 special education degrees were awarded at Lamar University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $60,177. Lamar University graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Lamar University

15

University Of Arizona ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 69 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $44,257 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full special education program report for University Of Arizona

16

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 40 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn around $46,548 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at New Mexico State University Main Campus

17
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #17 for special education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 74 special education degrees were awarded at Midwestern State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $60,084. Midwestern State University graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Midwestern State University

18

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #18 for special education this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. About 32% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 special education students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn around $51,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,660. Get the full special education details for Southeastern Oklahoma State University

19

Texas A And M International University landed the #19 spot for special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Laredo. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $53,256. Typical student debt for the program is $18,229. More information about a degree in special education from Texas A And M International University

20

Pima Community College landed the #20 spot for special education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. There were roughly 49 special education students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $46,052. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Pima Community College

21

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #21 spot for special education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 91 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $55,668 in their early career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. See the full special education program report for The University Of Texas Pan American

22

The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #22 for special education this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 12 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $56,835. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. See the full special education program report for The University Of Texas At Tyler

23

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates 39% of students within six years. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus awarded about 72 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn around $49,087 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

24

University Of Houston Victoria placed #24 among the best special education schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. University Of Houston Victoria graduates 26% of students within six years. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $60,024 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081. Get the full special education details for University Of Houston Victoria

25

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #25 for special education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 special education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn around $57,352 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

Rest of the Top 37 Special Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for special education this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Narrow Special Education Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Special Education Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 72 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options