by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where special education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Manhattan College the top school for special education graduate earnings in the United States. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Special Education graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of about $77,559 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Seton Hall University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $76,088 per year.
Suny College At Cortland produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Suny College At Cortland make a median of around $70,344 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Gonzaga University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Special Education graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of about $68,277 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Central Washington University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,230.
University Of Connecticut placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Connecticut typically earn about $63,401 annually.
Boston University came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Boston University typically earn about $61,254 annually.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #8 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of about $61,945 a year early in their careers.
Molloy College earned the #9 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Molloy College make a median of around $59,775 per year.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Maryland College Park make a median of around $59,570 per year.
Utah State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Utah State University make a median of around $54,315 per year.
Western Washington University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Western Washington University typically earn about $66,702 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $67,699 per year.
Weber State University came in at #14 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,842.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for special education salaries this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,788.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #16 for special education graduate earnings this year. Florida Atlantic University is a public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Early-career special education graduates from Florida Atlantic University make a median of around $56,998 per year.
Michigan State University landed the #17 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $56,180 a year early in their careers.
Syracuse University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,881.
Towson University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,712.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Indiana University Bloomington make a median of around $59,829 per year.
Salve Regina University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,989.
Florida State University came in at #22 for special education graduate earnings this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,954.
Miami Dade College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Miami Dade College make a median of around $53,935 per year.
Providence College earned the #24 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Providence College earn a median of about $60,307 a year early in their careers.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $58,152 annually.
These schools also send special education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying special education schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their special education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.