by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 676 U.S. colleges awarded 23,004 degrees and certificates in General Special Education. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 355 schools in its 2027 Best General Special Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,013 one year after completing, rising to $62,416 after four years.
A degree in General Special Education covers Special Education And Teaching, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Design And Provision Of Teaching And Other Educational Services To Children Or Adults With Special Learning Needs Or Disabilities, And That May Prepare Individuals To Function As Special Education Teachers In A Collaborative Or Team Environment. Includes Instruction In Diagnosing Learning Disabilities, Developing Individual Education Plans, Teaching And Supervising Special Education Students, Special Education Counseling, And Applicable Laws And Policies. Examples: [Special Education Collaborative Teacher/teaching].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general special education is a popular field of study, with 23,004 degrees awarded annually. 676 colleges award general special education degrees, an average of 34 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,468.
By level, the 23,004 awards include 25 certificates, 93 associate degrees, 5,457 bachelor’s degrees, 17,205 master’s degrees and 217 doctorates.
Women earned 86% of general special education degrees and certificates in the latest year (19,720 of 23,004). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (14,576) and Hispanic or Latino (3,581), and international students earned 302.
College Factual ranks 355 schools in its 2027 Best General Special Education Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 131 for bachelor’s degrees, 274 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks general special education schools within 49 states. In all, 676 colleges offer general special education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Special Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general special education credential is the master’s degree: 17,205 of the 23,004 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general special education call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Social Perceptiveness, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
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How long a general special education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 25 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 93 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,457 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 17,205 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 217 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general special education, at 48.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.8% |
| Master’s degree | 23.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 15.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to General Special Education, with an average median salary of $72,522; the strongest outlook belongs to Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Braille Teacher, Blind Teacher, Sign Language Teacher and Lip Reading Teacher.
The occupation related to general special education with the most projected jobs is Special Education Teachers, All Other, at 1,501,521.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | 1,501,521 | 9.2% |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten | 1,257,499 | 14.0% |
| Adapted Physical Education Specialists | 1,064,121 | 10.9% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | 913,965 | 4.8% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 636,033 | 6.1% |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 570,170 | 8.8% |
| Special Education Teachers, Elementary School | 199,198 | -0.2% |
General Special Education graduates earn a median $55,013 one year after completing their program, $62,416 after four years and $59,953 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,013 |
| 4 years | $62,416 |
| 5 years | $59,953 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general special education is Teaching Assistants, Special Education, with a median salary of $96,801.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $86,208 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $80,694 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $79,680 |
| Adapted Physical Education Specialists | $77,976 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten | $73,597 |
| Special Education Teachers, Elementary School | $50,045 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $35,173 |
General Special Education has 17 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 12,424 degrees a year; the largest are Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs (3,950), Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs (1,739) and Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities (1,485). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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