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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 54 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.
Florida Memorial University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid special education graduates in the Southeast Region. Florida Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami Gardens. Special Education graduates of Florida Memorial University earn a median of about $69,656 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at University Of West Georgia, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,784.
George Mason University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $71,801 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the highest-paying schools for special education. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of about $65,074 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in special education will find them at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from The University Of West Florida make a median of around $72,406 per year.
Georgia State University came in at #6 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of about $60,636 a year early in their careers.
Columbus State University earned the #7 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,060.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. University Of Central Florida is a public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Central Florida make a median of around $58,479 per year.
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Special Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $57,668 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University landed the #10 spot for special education salaries this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,188.
Francis Marion University earned the #11 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Francis Marion University make a median of around $57,526 per year.
University Of Georgia placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for special education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,611.
University Of West Alabama came in at #13 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,729.
University Of Louisville came in at #14 for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from University Of Louisville make a median of around $57,361 per year.
Valdosta State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Special Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of about $56,492 a year early in their careers.
Auburn University At Montgomery earned the #16 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. Early-career special education graduates from Auburn University At Montgomery make a median of around $56,278 per year.
Georgia College And State University came in at #17 for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from Georgia College And State University typically earn about $59,662 annually.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #18 for special education graduate earnings this year. Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,508.
The University Of Alabama earned the #19 position for special education graduate earnings this year. The University Of Alabama is a public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. After graduating, special education degree recipients from The University Of Alabama typically earn about $55,157 annually.
University Of North Florida landed the #20 spot for special education salaries this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a public institution. After graduating, special education degree recipients from University Of North Florida typically earn about $53,869 annually.
University Of North Alabama earned the #21 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the special education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,447.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #22 for special education graduate earnings this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. Special Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $56,908 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #23 position for special education graduate earnings this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Special Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $57,114 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying special education schools. Old Dominion University is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Early-career special education graduates from Old Dominion University make a median of around $53,460 per year.
Regent University earned the #25 position for special education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career special education graduates from Regent University make a median of around $54,021 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning special education graduates:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries special education graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 54 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.