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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their special education graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in special education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $67,699 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Trinity Christian College one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of about $58,755 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Illinois State University, which ranked #3. 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 $56,275 annually.
Northern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $57,132 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Bradley University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Bradley University earn a median of about $48,522 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of about $48,274 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University typically earn about $51,770 annually.
Lewis University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Lewis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Lewis University typically earn about $45,831 annually.
University Of St Francis landed the #9 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,323.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 for special education graduate earnings this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $46,500 annually.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,701.
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 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.