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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Special Education Schools in Missouri

11 Colleges in the United States
396 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$42,522 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 26 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 Missouri

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

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in special education. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 47 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $42,889. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,357 in student loans. More information about a degree in special education from University Of Missouri Columbia

2

Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #2. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 92 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $38,250. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Missouri State University Springfield

3
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

A rank of #3 makes Truman State University one of the top schools for special education. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Truman State University awarded about 13 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Truman State University graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Truman State University

4

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 24 special education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $52,350 early in their careers. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. See the full special education program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the top schools for special education. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Central Missouri awarded about 54 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $41,190 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the special education program at University Of Central Missouri

6

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #6 position for special education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $41,321 in their early career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Read more about the special education program at Northwest Missouri State University

7
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University landed the #7 spot for special education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Charles. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 special education students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $47,206 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Lindenwood University

8

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #8 position for special education this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 38 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $40,281 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Southeast Missouri State University

9

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #9 among the best special education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies awarded about 11 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn around $47,316 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,051. Read more about the special education program at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies

10
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University landed the #10 spot for special education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 17 special education degrees were awarded at Drury University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Drury University earn around $41,393 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,641. See the full special education program report for Drury University

11
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO

Fontbonne University earned the #11 position for special education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Fontbonne University graduates 40% of students within six years. About 26 special education degrees were awarded at Fontbonne University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Fontbonne University earn around $42,991 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $45,511 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Fontbonne University

12

Missouri Baptist University placed #12 among the best special education schools. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 10 special education degrees were awarded at Missouri Baptist University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $35,312 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,688 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Missouri Baptist 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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