by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send special education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Rowan University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Rowan University typically earn about $72,569 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Seton Hall University earned it the #2 place for special education. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of about $76,088 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Kean University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Kean University typically earn about $68,971 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Montclair State University earned it the #4 place for special education. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,727.
A rank of #5 makes Caldwell College one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Caldwell College make a median of around $66,332 per year.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from William Paterson University Of New Jersey make a median of around $71,625 per year.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Special Education graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $66,222 a year early in their careers.
Monmouth University landed the #8 spot for special education salaries this year. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Special Education graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of about $69,183 a year early in their careers.
Rider University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of about $64,258 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #10 for special education graduate earnings this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $62,726 annually.
New Jersey City University earned the #11 position for special education graduate earnings this year. New Jersey City University is a public school located in the city of Jersey City. After graduating, special education degree recipients from New Jersey City University typically earn about $60,846 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #12 for special education graduate earnings this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey typically earn about $62,864 annually.
Saint Peters College came in at #13 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Saint Peters College typically earn about $59,785 annually.
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 · 13 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.
