2024 Best Colleges for Special Education

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Special Education, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Special Education degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Special Education programs in America. The list includes 446 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Special Education is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Special Education: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Special Education. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Special Education program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Special Education we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Special Education.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Special Education in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Special Education Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Special Education?

Syracuse University (SU) is the best university for majoring in Special Education based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Syracuse University (SU) earned an average of $57,318 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Special Education?

Brigham Young University-Idaho is the cheapest university for majoring in Special Education based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $3,830 to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Special Education?

Northwestern University is the most expensive university for majoring in Special Education based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $49,047 to attend Northwestern University.

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#1 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $57,318
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 81
Syracuse University (SU)
4 Year
Syracuse, NY
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Syracuse University (SU), located in Syracuse, NY has 81 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $57,318.
Acceptance Rate 48%
Undergraduates 6,009 students
Tuition $43,318
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#2 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $52,107
Average Debt $19,357
Program Size 21
Northeastern Illinois University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
Northeastern Illinois University, located in Chicago, IL has 21 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $52,107.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 2,103 students
Tuition $9,351
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#3 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $51,035
Average Debt $25,613
Program Size 17
Monmouth University
4 Year
West Long Branch, NJ
Monmouth University, located in West Long Branch, NJ has 17 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $51,035.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 1,667 students
Tuition $33,729
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#4 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $50,606
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 24
Boston University (BU)
4 Year
Boston, MA
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Boston University (BU), located in Boston, MA has 24 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $50,606.
Acceptance Rate 33%
Undergraduates 9,663 students
Tuition $48,436
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#5 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $50,270
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 49
Manhattan College
4 Year
Riverdale, NY
Manhattan College, located in Riverdale, NY has 49 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $50,270.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 955 students
Tuition $38,580
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#6 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $50,251
Average Debt $23,883
Program Size 190
Kean University
4 Year
Union, NJ
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Kean University, located in Union, NJ has 190 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $50,251.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 3,231 students
Tuition $11,581
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#7 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $50,231
Average Debt $26,996
Program Size 94
SUNY Cortland
4 Year
Cortland, NY
SUNY Cortland, located in Cortland, NY has 94 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $50,231.
Acceptance Rate 51%
Undergraduates 1,826 students
Tuition $8,050
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#8 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $48,980
Average Debt $23,667
Program Size 181
Western Washington University
4 Year
Bellingham, WA
Western Washington University, located in Bellingham, WA has 181 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $48,980.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 3,673 students
Tuition $8,611
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#9 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $48,041
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 17
Whitworth University
4 Year
Spokane, WA
Whitworth University, located in Spokane, WA has 17 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $48,041.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 658 students
Tuition $39,096
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#10 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $47,260
Average Debt $22,500
Program Size 54
Central Washington University
4 Year
Ellensburg, WA
Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, WA has 54 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $47,260.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 2,803 students
Tuition $8,688
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#11 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $47,260
Average Debt $25,166
Program Size 50
Gonzaga University (GU)
4 Year
Spokane, WA
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Gonzaga University (GU), located in Spokane, WA has 50 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $47,260.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 2,087 students
Tuition $37,990
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#12 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $47,103
Average Debt $18,474
Program Size 238
Towson University (TU)
4 Year
Towson, MD
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Towson University (TU), located in Towson, MD has 238 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $47,103.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 5,573 students
Tuition $9,182
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#13 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $46,738
Average Debt $22,483
Program Size 76
Southern Connecticut State University
4 Year
New Haven, CT
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Southern Connecticut State University, located in New Haven, CT has 76 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $46,738.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,368 students
Tuition $9,600
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#14 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $46,673
Average Debt $20,303
Program Size 40
University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business (UH)
4 Year
Honolulu, HI
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University of Hawaii at Manoa - Shidler College of Business (UH), located in Honolulu, HI has 40 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $46,673.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 4,384 students
Tuition $11,164
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#15 Best College for Special Education
Average Salary $46,254
Average Debt $19,705
Program Size 63
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
4 Year
Champaign, IL
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), located in Champaign, IL has 63 students majoring in Special Education. On average, graduates earn $46,254.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 12,243 students
Tuition $15,054
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Other Major Rankings
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