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 16 schools on the early-career earnings of their special education graduates.
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Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Boston the top school for special education graduate earnings in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston typically earn about $68,260 annually.
A rank of #2 makes American International College one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from American International College make a median of around $69,407 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Boston College earned it the #3 place for special education. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,475.
Fitchburg State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Fitchburg State University make a median of around $69,942 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at Salem State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Salem State University typically earn about $71,472 annually.
Lesley University came in at #6 for special education graduate earnings this year. Lesley University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,653.
Simmons College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Simmons College typically earn about $67,856 annually.
Bridgewater State University landed the #8 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,706.
Endicott College landed the #9 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,750.
Boston University came in at #10 for special education graduate earnings this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,256.
Assumption College landed the #11 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Assumption College make a median of around $64,799 per year.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #12 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms typically earn about $60,728 annually.
Lasell College landed the #13 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Lasell College typically earn about $57,005 annually.
Westfield State University landed the #14 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Westfield State University make a median of around $56,729 per year.
Regis College earned the #15 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Regis College make a median of around $50,691 per year.
Cambridge College landed the #16 spot for special education salaries this year. Cambridge College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career special education graduates from Cambridge College make a median of around $43,966 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.