by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their special education graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the top school for special education graduate earnings in California. California State University Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Special Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $94,553 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for special education. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,254.
Notre Dame De Namur University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Notre Dame De Namur University typically earn about $95,703 annually.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $88,354 annually.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Marcos one of the highest-paying schools for special education. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Early-career special education graduates from California State University San Marcos make a median of around $82,494 per year.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #6 spot for special education salaries this year. Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University typically earn about $80,696 annually.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $89,320.
Touro University California placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Vallejo, Touro University California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,975.
California State University Long Beach placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for special education. California State University Long Beach is a public school located in the city of Long Beach. After graduating, special education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach typically earn about $77,631 annually.
California State University East Bay landed the #10 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from California State University East Bay make a median of around $77,402 per year.
California State University Fresno placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for special education. California State University Fresno is a public school located in the city of Fresno. Special Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $80,228 a year early in their careers.
National University landed the #12 spot for special education salaries this year. National University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Special Education graduates of National University earn a median of about $80,098 a year early in their careers.
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,427.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #14 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University typically earn about $77,023 annually.
California Lutheran University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for special education. California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Special Education graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of about $80,821 a year early in their careers.
California State University Northridge earned the #16 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Special Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $80,697 a year early in their careers.
California State University Sacramento came in at #17 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento typically earn about $72,912 annually.
San Francisco State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from San Francisco State University make a median of around $75,494 per year.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #19 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System make a median of around $67,222 per year.
Chapman University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,257.
Alliant International University came in at #21 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Alliant International University make a median of around $63,647 per year.
University Of Redlands came in at #22 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of about $63,411 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California landed the #23 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $66,583 annually.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. After graduating, special education degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $53,654 annually.
Ashford University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Ashford University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,048.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries special education graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 25 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.