by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a special education degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
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Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #1 spot for highest-paid special education graduates in Indiana. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $59,829 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $48,773 per year.
Ball State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $50,351 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Indiana State University, which ranked #4. Indiana State University is a public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Early-career special education graduates from Indiana State University make a median of around $45,283 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,345.
Huntington University landed the #6 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,807.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #7 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University typically earn about $43,556 annually.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College typically earn about $43,254 annually.
Vincennes University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Vincennes University is a public school located in the town of Vincennes. Special Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of about $37,538 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.