by our College Data Analytics Team
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a special education degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose special education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of Utah the top school for special education graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Special Education graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of about $65,971 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Western Governors University earned it the #2 place for special education. Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,963.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Special Education graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of about $57,577 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Northern Colorado make a median of around $60,811 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,500.
Boise State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Boise State University is a public school located in the city of Boise. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Boise State University typically earn about $50,038 annually.
Colorado Christian University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Colorado Christian University make a median of around $42,916 per year.
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 · 7 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.