by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send special education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid special education graduates in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $80,063 annually.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University typically earn about $72,373 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Concordia University Chicago one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago typically earn about $76,075 annually.
Depaul University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $67,561 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Northern Michigan University earned it the #5 place for special education. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University typically earn about $64,334 annually.
Governors State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Governors State University typically earn about $64,122 annually.
Grand Valley State University came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,494.
National Louis University landed the #8 spot for special education salaries this year. National Louis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Special Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of about $69,716 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,249.
Oakland University landed the #10 spot for special education salaries this year. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Special Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of about $61,788 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University came in at #11 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $60,809 a year early in their careers.
Spring Arbor University landed the #12 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University typically earn about $59,950 annually.
Ball State University came in at #13 for special education graduate earnings this year. Ball State University is a public school located in the city of Muncie. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Ball State University typically earn about $63,930 annually.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #14 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global typically earn about $59,351 annually.
Michigan State University came in at #15 for special education graduate earnings this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Early-career special education graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $61,863 per year.
Saint Xavier University earned the #16 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,449.
Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot for special education salaries this year. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Early-career special education graduates from Western Michigan University make a median of around $63,012 per year.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,263.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #19 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of about $58,665 a year early in their careers.
Illinois State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Illinois State University typically earn about $56,893 annually.
Ashland University earned the #21 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of about $58,704 a year early in their careers.
University Of Toledo ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of about $58,235 a year early in their careers.
Baldwin Wallace College landed the #23 spot for special education salaries this year. Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Early-career special education graduates from Baldwin Wallace College make a median of around $60,279 per year.
Marian University Indiana landed the #24 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Marian University Indiana make a median of around $55,269 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #25 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of about $55,057 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning special education graduates:
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 · 38 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.