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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where special education graduates earn the most.
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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 Dayton this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Dayton typically earn about $50,844 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus typically earn about $49,462 annually.
Bluffton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Bluffton University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. Special Education graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of about $46,385 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Capital University earned it the #4 place for special education. Capital University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Early-career special education graduates from Capital University make a median of around $49,486 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Muskingum University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Muskingum University earn a median of about $44,424 a year early in their careers.
University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Toledo typically earn about $48,539 annually.
Miami University Oxford ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Miami University Oxford make a median of around $46,116 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #8 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $46,532 annually.
Walsh University came in at #9 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,079.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #10 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $42,347 a year early in their careers.
Malone University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Canton, Malone University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,718.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #12 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,441.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,416.
University Of Mount Union came in at #14 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Mount Union make a median of around $44,261 per year.
Ashland University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Ashland University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Early-career special education graduates from Ashland University make a median of around $44,126 per year.
Youngstown State University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Youngstown State University is a public school located in the city of Youngstown. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Youngstown State University typically earn about $40,430 annually.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 for special education graduate earnings this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Akron. Special Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of about $41,933 a year early in their careers.
Shawnee State University came in at #18 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Shawnee State University typically earn about $37,020 annually.
Defiance College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Defiance College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Defiance. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,443.
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 · 19 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.