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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find where special education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Connecticut tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools in the New England Region. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,401.
A rank of #2 makes Salve Regina University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Salve Regina University typically earn about $58,989 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Providence College earned it the #3 place for special education. Providence College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Providence College typically earn about $60,307 annually.
Rhode Island College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Rhode Island College typically earn about $67,207 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $68,260 a year early in their careers.
American International College earned the #6 position for special education graduate earnings this year. American International College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Special Education graduates of American International College earn a median of about $69,407 a year early in their careers.
Boston College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Boston College typically earn about $70,475 annually.
Fitchburg State University landed the #8 spot for special education salaries this year. Fitchburg State University is a public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Early-career special education graduates from Fitchburg State University make a median of around $69,942 per year.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #9 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of New Haven. Special Education graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $58,966 a year early in their careers.
Salem State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Salem State University make a median of around $71,472 per year.
Bridgewater State University came in at #11 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Bridgewater State University make a median of around $62,233 per year.
Lesley University earned the #12 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Lesley University make a median of around $68,653 per year.
Simmons College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Simmons College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career special education graduates from Simmons College make a median of around $67,856 per year.
Boston University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Boston University typically earn about $61,255 annually.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #15 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,062.
Endicott College landed the #16 spot for special education salaries this year. Endicott College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Endicott College typically earn about $63,750 annually.
University Of Hartford placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of about $58,009 a year early in their careers.
Saint Joseph College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Saint Joseph College typically earn about $63,800 annually.
Assumption College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Assumption College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Assumption College typically earn about $64,799 annually.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,728.
Westfield State University came in at #21 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Westfield State University typically earn about $57,770 annually.
Lasell College earned the #22 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Lasell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Lasell College typically earn about $57,005 annually.
Keene State College came in at #23 for special education graduate earnings this year. Keene State College is a public school located in the town of Keene. Special Education graduates of Keene State College earn a median of about $56,763 a year early in their careers.
Quinnipiac University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Quinnipiac University typically earn about $56,367 annually.
Vermont Technical College landed the #25 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of about $54,675 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send special education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 32 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.