by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 30 U.S. colleges awarded 253 degrees and certificates in Administration of Special Education. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 90% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Administration of Special Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing, rising to $75,584 after four years.
A degree in Administration of Special Education involves the study of Administration Of Special Education. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Supervise, And Manage Programs For Exceptional Students And Their Parents. Includes Instruction In Special Education Theory And Practice, Special Education Program Development, Evaluation And Assessment In Special Education, State And Federal Law And Regulations, Managing Individual Education Plans, Problems Of Low- And High- Disability Students, Mainstreaming, Special Education Curricula, Staff Management, Parent Education, Communications And Community Relations, Budgeting, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, administration of special education is a widely-pursued major, with 253 degrees awarded annually. 30 colleges award administration of special education degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 44.
By level, the 253 awards include 227 master’s degrees and 26 doctorates.
Women earned 89% of administration of special education degrees and certificates in the latest year (225 of 253). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (191) and Black or African American (34), and international students earned 3.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best Administration of Special Education Schools ranking, including 3 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks administration of special education schools within 3 states. In all, 30 colleges offer administration of special education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Administration of Special Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long an administration of special education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 227 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 26 |
1 occupations are related to Administration of Special Education, with an average median salary of $91,340. Typical job titles include Extension Course Coordinator, Director of Professional Services, Health Education Director and Apprenticeship Representative.
The occupation related to administration of special education with the most projected jobs is Education Administrators, All Other, at 234,350.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, All Other | 234,350 | -0.8% |
Administration of Special Education graduates earn a median $65,167 one year after completing their program, $75,584 after four years and $74,368 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $65,167 |
| 4 years | $75,584 |
| 5 years | $74,368 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to administration of special education, with a median salary of $91,340.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Administrators, All Other | $91,340 |
Administration of Special Education has 13 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 44,493 degrees a year; the largest are Educational Leadership and Administration, General (31,629), Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (4,258) and Educational Administration and Supervision, Other (2,266). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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