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2026 Best General Special Education Schools in Tennessee

7 Colleges in the United States
204 General Special Education Degrees Awarded
$54,388 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Special Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools to find the best for general special education students.

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Best Schools for General Special Education in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general special education education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in General Special Education

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for general special education. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 70 general special education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general special education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $71,679. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in general special education from Vanderbilt University

2

The University Of Tennessee came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 14 general special education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. General Special Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859. See the full general special education program report for The University Of Tennessee

3
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general special education schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 24 general special education degrees in the most recent data year. General Special Education graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $51,798 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for Lipscomb University

4

Middle Tennessee State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 36 general special education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $44,052 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,493 to complete this degree. See the full general special education program report for Middle Tennessee State University

5

University Of Memphis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general special education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 49 general special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $44,664 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,397 to complete this degree. Read more about the general special education program at University Of Memphis

6

Lincoln Memorial University landed the #6 spot for general special education this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 11 general special education degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general special education program make about $64,307 in their early career. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Get the full general special education details for Lincoln Memorial University

View All General Special Education Rankings >

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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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