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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find where special education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send special education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid special education graduates in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Early-career special education graduates from Cuny Brooklyn College make a median of around $91,781 per year.
Pace University New York came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Special Education graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of about $83,536 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for special education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,456.
Strong graduate earnings at Manhattan College earned it the #4 place for special education. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. Special Education graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of about $78,634 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of about $84,866 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Cuny Lehman College make a median of around $85,537 per year.
St Johns University New York came in at #7 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from St Johns University New York make a median of around $85,605 per year.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #8 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of about $85,086 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Queens College earned the #9 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Cuny Queens College is a public school located in the city of Queens. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College typically earn about $85,138 annually.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #10 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus typically earn about $83,011 annually.
Hofstra University earned the #11 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,676.
Fordham University landed the #12 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,207.
Adelphi University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Adelphi University typically earn about $80,056 annually.
Touro College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Special Education graduates of Touro College earn a median of about $79,696 a year early in their careers.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #15 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Suny College At Cortland make a median of around $68,667 per year.
Ithaca College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of about $71,700 a year early in their careers.
Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #17 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,321.
Manhattanville College came in at #18 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Manhattanville College typically earn about $76,396 annually.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $78,429 a year early in their careers.
Molloy College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Molloy College make a median of around $73,126 per year.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #21 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. Special Education graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of about $69,881 a year early in their careers.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Suny At Fredonia make a median of around $52,511 per year.
Bank Street College Of Education placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Bank Street College Of Education is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,647.
Syracuse University came in at #24 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $62,248 per year.
Mount Saint Mary College placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Mount Saint Mary College make a median of around $63,808 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid special education ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 40 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.