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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Special Education Schools in Minnesota

11 Colleges in the United States
576 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$54,497 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 29 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 Minnesota

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

Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Minnesota the best school in the country for a degree in special education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 109 special education degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $58,812 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,800. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $18,387 in student loans. Get the full special education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. About 66% of students finish within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 23 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $60,963. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

4

Bethel University Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 51 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $58,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Bethel University Minnesota

5

Concordia University Saint Paul is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 40 special education degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $59,263 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Get the full special education details for Concordia University Saint Paul

6

Winona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Winona State University awarded about 16 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $46,697. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from Winona State University

7

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for special education this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 87 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $51,748 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

8

Bemidji State University landed the #8 spot for special education this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 special education students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $57,616 early in their careers. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Bemidji State University

9

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Minnesota State University Moorhead awarded about 27 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead earn around $57,948 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,447 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Minnesota State University Moorhead

10

Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot for special education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Saint Cloud. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 69 special education degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $51,459 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Saint Cloud State University

11
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University placed #11 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 special education students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $54,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,998. Get the full special education details for Capella University

12

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #12 spot for special education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Marshall. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 27 special education degrees were awarded at Southwest Minnesota State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,542. More information about a degree in special education from Southwest Minnesota State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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