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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
For graduate earnings in special education, no school beat Johns Hopkins University this year. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University typically earn about $72,483 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Maryland College Park make a median of around $67,200 per year.
Towson University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of about $61,216 a year early in their careers.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland typically earn about $64,018 annually.
Mcdaniel College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Mcdaniel College make a median of around $63,940 per year.
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 · 5 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.